U.S. Embassy Jakarta, Indonesia
   


PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION

U.S. EMBASSY
PRESS RELEASE

January 9, 2009 

U.S. Embassy Discusses Gaza with Indonesian Civil Society Group

 Bahasa Indonesia

Jakarta, January 9 –Chargé d’Affaires John A. Heffern exchanged views on the situation in Gaza with a group of around 30 leaders of Indonesian civil society organizations at the U.S. Embassy this morning.  Led by Din Syamsuddin, Chair of Muhammadiyah, the delegation presented an open letter to President-elect Barack Obama.  The letter reflected Indonesian concerns over the plight of the Palestinian people.

Chargé d’Affaires Heffern welcomed the group of diverse Indonesian religious, political, and NGO leaders to the U.S. Embassy, and accepted the letter.  “The United States deeply respects the right of all people in a democracy to freely and peacefully express their political views,” the Chargé said. 

Chargé Heffern explained U.S. policy towards the Middle East and the current crisis in Gaza, and welcomed Indonesia’s support of the Quartet and the Annapolis Peace Process.  He said the U.S. is deeply concerned about the escalating violence in Gaza, and was actively working with those interested in peace to lay the necessary groundwork for “a durable and sustainable ceasefire.”  He noted that the U.S. favored a two-state solution with the Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace and security, as President Bush has said.  The Chargé noted that Secretary Rice said the recently passed UN Security Council Resolution reflected the international community’s concern about the situation in Gaza and its desire for a sustainable peace there.

For more information about other U.S. Embassy activities, please visit our website at http://jakarta.usembassy.gov.

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