[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 38 (Monday, September 24, 2001)]
[Page 1342]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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.