    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [October 22, 2003]
    [Pages 1367-1370]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1367]]

    The President's News Conference With President Megawati
    Sukarnoputri of Indonesia in Bali,
    Indonesia
    October 22, 2003

        President Megawati. President George Bush and I have just concluded
    the meeting. I have met with His Excellency, the President, several
    times. Our last meeting was in New York on 23d September, 2003, when we
    attended the 58th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
        I attach great importance of my personal relation with President
    Bush as well as of bilateral relations between Indonesia and the United
    States, for both are the large democratic countries in the world and
    have great potential of cooperation.
        We started our meeting today by conducting bilateral talks. It was
    followed by working luncheon attended by a number of members of the
    Cabinet. During the talks, we have discussed issues of common concern,
    namely: counterterrorism; U.S. support to the democratization and reform
    process in Indonesia; military cooperation; U.S. support to the
    territorial integrity and national unity of the unitary state of the
    Republic of Indonesia; and renunciation to any terrorist movement in the
    country; U.S. support to the Indonesian economy through a--[inaudible]--
    free process, particularly in the post-IMF program; and cooperation in
    the field of education in Indonesia.
        In addition, we have exchanged our view of various regional and
    international issues, among others, on the latest development in Asia
    and the situation in the Middle East, despite the fact that we do not
    always share common perspective. But we both continue to hold mutual
    understanding that it is to the interest of the two countries to
    maintain consultation and cooperation in the pursuit of global peace.
        Following bilateral talks and lunch, I accompanied President Bush in
    his meeting with some eminent leading figures from Islam, Hindu, and
    Christian. I regard this particular meeting as positive development as
    the Indonesian religion figures had the opportunity to conduct open and
    direct dialog with the leader of the U.S. administration. I am pleased
    to note that both sides were in agreement about the importance of
    religion tolerance as one of the major pillars of democracy in
    Indonesia.
        My current meeting with President Bush might be the last before the
    two countries carry out general election in 2004. We will continue to
    foster cordial and cooperative bilateral relations.
        May I now invite President George W. Bush to present his remarks.
    Thank you.
        President Bush. Thank you, Madam President. Good afternoon. Thank
    you very much. Laura and I are honored to be in
    Indonesia, the world's third largest democracy and the world's--home to
    the world's largest Muslim population. Indonesia is a vital partner, and
    Indonesia is a friend of America. We share a commitment to democracy and
    tolerance. We stand together against terrorism. I thank President
    Megawati for her leadership, for her friendship, and for her hospitality
    today.
        The success of Indonesia as a pluralistic and democratic state is
    essential to the peace and prosperity of this region. Indonesians
    profess many faiths and honor many traditions. And like Americans, you
    understand that diversity can be a source of strength. Your national
    motto, ``Unity in diversity,'' sounds a lot like our own, ``Out of many,
    one.'' Americans admire the way Indonesians maintain unity and balance
    modern ideas with ancient traditions and deep religious faith.
        More than 200 years ago, the Founders of my country recognized and
    protected the essential role of religion in society within a democratic
    and pluralistic constitution. Your constitution affirms the same
    inalienable right of all to worship freely, a gift

    [[Page 1368]]

    from your founders that enriches the Indonesian nation to this day.
        Earlier, just minutes ago, we met with five Indonesian religious
    leaders, including leaders of Indonesia's two largest Islamic
    organizations, who are sustaining Indonesia's tradition of tolerance and
    moderation. Americans hold a deep respect for the Islamic faith, which
    is professed by a growing number of my own citizens. We know that Islam
    is fully compatible with liberty and tolerance and progress, because we
    see the proof in your country and in our own.
        Terrorists who claim Islam as their inspiration defile one of the
    world's great faiths. Murder has no place in any religious tradition. It
    must find no home in Indonesia.
        Nearly 3 months ago, America shared Indonesia's grief when a suicide
    bomber killed 14 people outside a Jakarta hotel. One year ago, miles
    from where we now stand, Indonesia suffered the worst terrorist attack
    in its history when over 200 innocent men and women lost their lives.
    Today we pay tribute to the victims. We remember the suffering of their
    families, and we reaffirm our commitment to win the war on terror.
        President Megawati has confronted this evil directly. She was one of
    the first leaders to stand with me after September the 11th. Under her
    leadership, Indonesia is hunting and finding dangerous killers. America
    appreciates Indonesia's strong cooperation in the war on terror. America
    believes that freedom and democracy are critical to defeating terror,
    because free nations that respect human rights do not breed hatred,
    resentment, and the ideologies of murder.
        The United States is working for democracy and freedom and economic
    progress in Afghanistan and Iraq, to lift millions out of poverty, to
    overcome years of brutal repression, to help create a more secure and
    safe world. And the United States strongly supports a healthy democracy
    in Indonesia, for the sake of your own people and for the sake of peace.
        Indonesians have made good progress over the last 5 years in
    strengthening democracy and in building the civil institutions that
    sustain freedom. Next year, your country will reach an important
    milestone when some 150 million Indonesians vote in the nation's first-
    ever elected--Presidential election. The United States is working with
    Indonesia to support these historic elections. In a short time,
    Indonesia has traveled far down the road to full democracy, and
    Indonesians should be proud of this accomplishment.
        We'll also support Indonesia's efforts to build an education system
    that teaches values and discourages extremism. I will propose to our
    Congress a 6-year, $157 million program to support basic education in
    Indonesia.
        The partnership between our two peoples is strong and is growing
    stronger. In all that lies ahead, in the defense of freedom, in the
    advance of tolerance and democracy, Indonesia will have a firm ally in
    the American Government, and you'll have the friendship and the respect
    of the American people.
        Thank you, Madam President.
        President Megawati. Thank you.
        President Bush. I think we'll take a couple of questions--is that
    not true--from--alternating both sides?
        President Megawati. Yes.
        President Bush. Would you like to call on somebody first? I'll call
    on him. You call on--[laughter]--you sure you want to call on him?
    [Laughter] Okay.

    U.S. Middle East Policy

        Q. Mr. President, some of the religious leaders that you just met
    with have said that U.S. foreign policy is biased toward Israel and
    against Muslims, making it easy for the terrorists to find recruits. How
    do you answer those charges, and how do you deal with that situation?

    [[Page 1369]]

        President Bush. Our foreign policy is for a--development of a
    Palestinian state that lives side by side with Israel in peace. And I'm
    the first President to ever articulate such a vision, and I still
    believe it is possible. In order to achieve a Palestinian state living
    side by side in peace, there needs to be leadership willing to fight off
    the terror that is trying to prevent the state from emerging.

    U.S. Foreign Policy Goals

        Q. I would like to ask question in Indonesian. Because your visit to
    Indonesia has been opposed by many people, what is your views? And is
    there a possibility of a change in your foreign policy view, which is
    seen as imbalanced toward the Islamic world?
        President Bush. Well, I strongly believe in peace and freedom. I
    think it's important for the world to be as free as possible, and I
    strongly believe that free nations are peaceful nations. And my foreign
    policy promotes that.
        America is also a compassionate nation. We lead the world in helping
    feed the hungry and battle disease. I look forward to working with the
    President in terms of allowing Indonesians to use our money to help
    implement an education system that the Government decides, not America.
    No, I'm proud of our foreign policy.
        President Megawati. Can I still add something? Because you also
    spontaneously accepted the invitation of--my invitation to come to
    Indonesia, which proves that he is very open to come to this country of
    ours in this spontaneous way.

    North Korea/Iran

        Q. North Korea is rejecting your offer as laughable and still
    insisting on a nonaggression treaty. How do you proceed from here? And
    are you confident that Iran is forswearing nuclear weapons?
        President Bush. Well, first of all, I want to thank the Foreign
    Ministers from Great Britain and
    France and Germany and their Governments for taking a very strong
    universal message to the Iranians that they should disarm. The Iranians
    have--it looks like they are accepting the demands of the free world,
    and now it's up to them to prove that they've accepted the demands.
    That's a very positive development.
        On terms of North Korea, we had a really good visit at APEC about
    how best to resolve the North Korean issue peacefully, how best to
    convince the North Koreans to disarm, at least abandon their nuclear
    ambitions--nuclear weapons ambitions. And we had good progress in
    Bangkok. And there's going to be a series of these statements that I
    guess are trying to stand up to the five nations that are now united in
    convincing North Korea to disarm. And my only reaction is we'll continue
    to send the very clear message to the North Koreans. The good news is
    that there's other nations besides America now sending the message.
        Q. [Inaudible]--is that helping the climate?
        President Bush. Launching missiles into the sea? No, of course, not.
    Look, the guy, he--we'll determine whether he's
    serious or not. He wanted to have dialog; we're having dialog. And he
    wanted a security agreement, and we're willing to advance a multiparty
    security agreement, assuming that he is willing to abandon his nuclear
    weapons designs and programs. And we'll just stay the course.
        Wait a minute, you're crowding out the host press. This is
    unbelievable. [Laughter] This is unilateralism at its worst. I've never
    heard--[laughter]--two and two, Stretch [Richard Keil, Bloomberg News].
    Sorry.

    President's Visit

        Q. Mr. President----
        President Bush. Yes.
        Q. ----what is the message you would like to convey to the
    Indonesian people with this 3-hour visit, the shortest one that you make
    among the six-nation visit in this journey?
        President Bush. Yes, well, first of all, it's been a--it might not
    have been very long,

    [[Page 1370]]

    but it's been very productive. And my message is, thank you for the
    hospitality, and thank you for the wonderful exchange we've had with the
    President.
        I'm traveling to a lot of countries in a very quick period of time,
    and I appreciate the fact that the Indonesian Government was able to
    accommodate my desires to come here. And we've got a lot in common. We
    both appreciate democracy. We both care about trade so that our nations
    can prosper. We both care about educating people so that children have a
    chance to succeed in life. We both love freedom, and we both want the
    world to be peaceful. And we had a great exchange along those lines.
        So my message to the Indonesian people is, thank you very much for
    the warm hospitality. And I want to thank the President for the warm
    hospitality as well.
        Thank you all very much. That's it.
        President Megawati. That's it?
        President Bush. Unless you want to keep answering questions.
    [Laughter] I'll stay here as long as you want to.
        President Megawati. No----
        President Bush. You want to? Okay. [Laughter]

    Note: The President's news conference began at 2:12 p.m. at Bali
    International Airport. In his remarks, President Bush referred to
    Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Jack Straw of
    the United Kingdom; Minister of Foreign Affairs Dominique de Villepin of
    France; Minister of Foreign Affairs Joschka Fischer of Germany; and
    Chairman Kim Chong-il of North Korea. A portion of these remarks could
    not be verified because the tape was incomplete.