    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [October 22, 2003]
    [Pages 1370-1372]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Republic of
    Indonesia
    October 22, 2003

        President George W. Bush and President Megawati
    Soekarnoputri today reaffirmed a new
    era of cooperation between two of the world's largest democracies and
    reviewed the shared values and common challenges that join them in
    friendship. They welcomed the excellent progress in implementing the
    Joint Statement of September 19, 2001. They also expressed satisfaction
    that the relationship between their two democracies continues to grow
    and strengthen. President Megawati emphasized the importance of
    President Bush's visit.
        President Bush expressed the strong support of the United States for
    Indonesia's democratic transition and reforms, and welcomed Indonesia's
    progress toward becoming a mature and stable democracy. Both
    Presidents agreed that, as the most
    populous majority-Muslim nation, Indonesia is a powerful example that
    democracy and Islam can go hand in hand.
        President Bush noted Indonesia's substantial economic recovery in
    recent years and pledged to support continued economic development as
    Indonesia successfully ends its program with the IMF at the end of this
    year. President Bush praised President Megawati's commitment to continue to press forward with
    difficult economic reforms, combat graft, and improve the investment
    climate. The two Presidents agreed that the long-standing trade and
    investment ties between their two countries have shown the benefits of
    an open trading system to Indonesia's development. The United States is
    the top market for Indonesia's non-oil and gas exports, and U.S.
    companies are major investors in Indonesia.

    [[Page 1371]]

        President Bush and President Megawati reaffirmed that military reform is an important
    element of Indonesia's transition to a mature and stable democracy. The
    two Presidents agreed that normal military relations are in the interest
    of both countries and agreed to continue working toward that objective.
    President Megawati welcomed U.S. support for her efforts to foster
    proper civil-military relations in the form of International Military
    Education and Training (IMET) and Regional Defense Counter Terrorism
    Fellowships. Both Presidents agreed on the need to improve civil-
    military relations and stressed the importance of observing human
    rights. Both Presidents welcomed the successful convening of the first
    Indonesia-United States Security Dialogue in Jakarta in April 2002. They
    agreed that the second dialogue would be held in Washington, D.C. early
    next year.
        The two Presidents expressed their
    sorrow over the killing of two Americans and one Indonesian by unknown
    gunmen near Timika, Papua in August 2002. They noted that the joint
    investigation between the Indonesian police, the Armed Forces, and the
    FBI is proceeding well, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to find
    the murderers and bring them to justice, whoever they may be.
        President Bush praised the Government of Indonesia for recent
    successes in their war on terror, including the arrest and prosecution
    of those responsible for the Bali bombings, and focused efforts to
    dismantle the terrorist networks. Agreeing that terrorism poses a
    continued threat to international peace and security, the two
    Presidents committed to enhance their
    bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism, including through
    capacity-building and sharing of information.
        Both Presidents denounced the
    linking of terrorism with religion. The two Presidents agreed that there
    could be no justification for terrorist attacks against innocent
    civilians. They stressed that terrorism is a violation of the true
    teachings of all religions, and agreed to work together to promote
    inter-faith dialogue in their respective countries and abroad. President
    Bush underscored that the war on terrorism is not in any way a war on
    Islam and expressed great admiration and respect for Indonesia's long
    history of religious tolerance and moderate Islamic thought.
        President Bush announced a new six-year, $157 million program
    designed to support Indonesia's efforts to improve the quality of
    education in its schools. This initiative seeks to strengthen both basic
    and higher education by supporting parents, local governments, and
    Muslim organizations in their efforts to give Indonesian students the
    tools they need to compete in the global economy.
        President Bush emphasized strong support for Indonesia's territorial
    integrity and national unity. He asserted that a united, stable,
    prosperous, and democratic Indonesia could be a model of a successful
    democratic transition for the world. President Bush reiterated that the
    United States opposes secessionist movements in any part of Indonesia,
    and calls on separatist groups in Aceh and Papua to pursue the redress
    of their grievances through peaceful political means. He further
    expressed the hope that the Indonesian Government would continue a
    political process based on Special Autonomy in dealing with those
    grievances. President Bush commended the Indonesian Government's efforts
    to resolve communal conflicts through law enforcement that respects
    human rights, dialogue, and reconciliation.
        Both Presidents expressed deep
    concern regarding the ongoing terrorism and violence in the Middle East,
    which has claimed the lives of far too many innocent civilians. They
    expressed strong support for the vision articulated by President Bush on
    June 24, 2002, of an independent, sovereign and viable Palestinian state
    living in peace and security side by side with a secure Israel. Both
    Presidents agreed that all parties share a responsibility to bring about

    [[Page 1372]]

    a just and comprehensive peace, and that ending violence must be the
    highest priority.
        President Bush, accompanied by President Megawati, also met Islamic leaders KH Hasyim Muzadi, Dr. Syafi'i Ma'arif,
    and Dr. Azyumardi Azra, as well as Christian
    leader Rev. Dr. Natan Setiabudi and Hindu
    leader Ida Pedanda Gede Made Gunung. During that meeting, President Bush expressed great
    respect for Indonesia's religious tolerance, moderation, and commitment
    to democracy. The religious leaders briefed President Bush on the
    Indonesian Islam, as well as cultural and religious harmony in
    Indonesia. They also expressed their views on current events, such as
    the situation in the Middle East, Iraq, and Afghanistan. All agreed on
    the need to combat international terrorism.
        The two Presidents recognized that
    a U.S.-Indonesia relationship based on mutual respect and equitable
    partnership is in the national interest of both countries. They pledged
    to deepen and strengthen this important relationship and to work
    together to promote global peace and prosperity.

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