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Deputy Secretary Wolfowitz Reaches Out to Indonesians
Tuesday, November 5, 2002
By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service

"Their theory probably is that if they can increase the level of misery and desperation in this country with such a heavy Muslim population they hope to gain more recruits for their rather evil cause."

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
Terrorism is a "great challenge" to democracy and unity in Indonesia, but Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz told the Indonesian people today that he thinks they are up to the challenge.

Speaking live on an Indonesian television station via a telephone link from the Pentagon, Wolfowitz used the opportunity to reiterate the oft-made point that America is not an enemy of Islam, terrorists are.

Indonesia is the most populous predominantly Muslim nation in the world, and it has had its own recent problems with terrorism. A terrorist bombing at a nightclub in the mostly Hindu province of Bali in October killed nearly 200 people, many of them Western tourists.

Wolfowitz has a special bond with the people of the island nation. He was U.S. ambassador to Indonesia under the Reagan Administration. He invoked those close personal ties today in getting his message across.

"If Indonesians don't do something to stop terrorism in Indonesia, it's going to have really terrible consequences for democracy in that wonderful, important country that I love so much," Wolfowitz said.

The deputy secretary said it's a shame the United States constantly has to defend its actions when this country has such a strong history of defending and aiding Muslim populations.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

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