[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4855]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    INDONESIA IS A STRATEGIC FRIEND

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, as supporters of freedom 
confront terrorism worldwide, it is appropriate to recognize the 
Republic of Indonesia's extraordinary efforts to advance democracy. 
Newly appointed Ambassador Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat recently made a 
convincing presentation in the Washington Diplomat regarding the 
significance of his country, which is the world's third largest 
democracy of over 220 million and the world's largest Muslim population 
which spreads across 17,000 islands.
  Despite al Qaeda terrorist attacks and economic collapse, and the 
catastrophic tsunami, Indonesia has rebounded with fair and free 
elections and an economic growth rate from 5.5 to 6 percent annually. 
America is fortunate to be a friend and partner of Indonesia, a dynamic 
nation which joins us in working for regional peace and winning the war 
on terrorism.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget 
September 11.

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