    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [September 19, 2001]
    [Pages 1134-1135]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Republic of
    Indonesia on Terrorism and Religious Tolerance
    September 19, 2001

        President George W. Bush and President Megawati
    Soekarnoputri today condemned the
    September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States and pledged to
    strengthen existing cooperation in the global effort to combat
    international terrorism. On behalf of the 210 million people of
    Indonesia, President Megawati expressed her deepest sympathies to the
    American people and pledged solidarity with the United States

    [[Page 1135]]

    in this hour of grief. Noting that the victims included innocent
    civilians of many nationalities, including an Indonesian citizen, the
    two leaders agreed that these indiscriminate attacks have no place in a
    civilized world.
        The two Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of
    religious freedom and tolerance in relations within and among nations.
    As leader of the world's largest Muslim population and third largest
    democracy, President Megawati joined President Bush in underlining the
    importance of differentiating between the religion of Islam and the acts
    of violent extremists. Emphasizing that Islam is a religion of peace
    that neither teaches hatred nor condones violence, President
    Megawati encouraged President Bush in
    his stated purpose of building a broad coalition across religious lines
    and cultures to deal with these new and dangerous threats. She further
    emphasized the importance of taking into account the views of the Muslim
    world as the United States leads an appropriate response to the events
    of September 11. Noting that Islam is the fastest growing religion in
    the United States, President Bush assured President Megawati that the
    American people respect Islam as one of the world's great religions and
    that the United States would join hands with freedom-loving people of
    all religions to combat transnational terror.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.