[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 43 (Monday, October 27, 2003)]
[Pages 1445-1447]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.

[[Page 1446]]

    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.
    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

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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 
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.