Bush Heaps Praise on Megawati

Wednesday, October 22, 2003

(2:20 PM ET) (18:20 GMT)

The Cable News Network

"Americans hold a deep respect for the Islamic faith. We know that Islam is fully compatible with liberty and tolerance and progress because we see the proof in your country. Terrorists who claim Islam as their inspiration defile one of the great faiths. Murder has no place in any religious tradition. It must find no home in Indonesia."

KUTA, Indonesia -- CNN
U.S. President George W. Bush has praised Indonesia for its support in the global war on terror and vowed to win the fight against terrorism.

Wrapping up a brief four-hour stopover on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali, Bush also paid homage to the more than 200 people killed in last year's nightclub bombings on the island as well as the 12 victims of the August suicide blast at Jakarta's J.W. Marriott Hotel.

"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," Bush said at a press conference on Wednesday with Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

Later Wednesday, Bush arrived in the Australian capital of Canberra -- the last leg of his whirlwind Asia trip.

The Australian visit -- which coincides with a trip Down Under by Chinese President Hu Jintao -- is being seen as a thank you to Prime Minister John Howard for his steadfast allegiance to the U.S. and his support of the war on terror.

Bush will address the national Parliament, visit the national war memorial and discuss trade and the terror war with Howard during his 21-hour stay.

Police are expecting around 5,000 demonstrators to attend rallies on Thursday with most voicing their anger over the Iraq war. (Full story)

* Terror moves

* Anti-U.S. sentiment

(More: CNN.com/World)
2003 © Cable News Network LP, LLLP.

Dan