[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.