Saturday, December 13, 2008

Indonesia calls for united action to fight terrorism

Indonesian President, Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called for a united stand in the fight next to terrorism. The Indonesian leader made this comment during a call on him by Foreign Minister, Rohitha Bogollagama, who is most important the Sri Lankan share to the Bali self-governing system Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali on Thursday(Dec 11), Foreign Ministry said.
A press let go issued by the Ministry said: The President said, "We must stay united in the fight next to terrorism. We cannot allow terrorism to beat democracy".
President Yudhoyono welcoming Minister Bogollagama, expressed his individual happiness at Sri Lanka's high level contribution at the Bali democratic system Forum, the first inter-governmental forum in Asia on democracy. He said that the Forum would afford an ideal chance to foster a conversation in the Asian region on democracy,as well as connected issues of peace and security.
Foreign Minister Bogollagama congratulated President Yudhoyono on his opportune initiative to launch the Bali Democracy Forum and convey the personal compliments and best needs of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to him. The Minister thereafter briefed the Indonesian leader on the present situation in Sri Lanka, chiefly the military operations being carried out in the North, in order to restore peace and democratic system to the region. He said that terrorism posed the single main threat to democracy in the country and outlined the winning efforts of the government in the last two years to clear the Eastern Province of the LTTE and the reinstatement of full democracy, with the election of a former child soldier of the LTTE as the Chief Minister of the province.
Referring to President Rajapaksa's efforts to connect the LTTE in negotiations, the Minister said that the talks ineffective due to the intransigent move toward of the LTTE and its lack of sincerity.
Nevertheless, the Minister reiterated the consistent stand of President Rajapaksa that the government is determined to formulate a political solution to address the grievances of the minority communities. In this context, he outlined the efforts of the All Party Representatives Committee to achieve a consensus in the middle of political parties towards this end. Meanwhile, the government is already taking action to implement the temporary recommendations of the Committee beneath the existing provisions of the Constitution.
President Yudhoyono thanked Minister Bogollagama for his comprehensive meeting on present developments in Sri Lanka, and observed that all too often the media projects an exaggerated and highly indistinct picture of the
truthful place of state situations, and was glad to have had this chance to get a main hand explanation on Sri Lanka from the Minister. The President spoken his keen notice to forge greater two-sided co-operation with Sri Lanka and was pleased to learn that SriLankan Airlines has proposed to resume its flights to Jakarta in early 2009, which will enhance people to people get in touch with between the two countries. The Foreign Minister hoped that Garuda Airlines would be able to reciprocate by commencing its services to Colombo.
The Minister, while noting that Sri Lanka and Indonesia have signed a defence co-operation agreement and an agreement to establish a Joint Commission, informed President Yudhoyono that he was looking forward to the visit of Foreign Minister, Dr Hassan Wirajuda to Sri Lanka early next year for the inaugural session of the Joint Commission, which would enable both countries to formulate a structured approach to strengthen bilateral relations. In this regard, the Minister highlighted the opportunities that Sri Lanka offers to potential Indonesian investors to set up industries in the country and use it as a springboard to tap the vast sub-continental market, under the Free Trade Agreements with India and Pakistan, as well as the SAFTA.
Minister Bogollagama extended President Mahinda Rajapaksa's invitation to President Yudhoyono to visit Sri Lanka, which the latter gladly accepted. The President thanked the Minister for the invitation and said that he is keenly looking forward to visiting Sri Lanka at the earliest opportunity.

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