New Indonesian president backs Arab causes

New Indonesian President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie has denied news that his country desires to establish relations with Israel. He asserted his country's stand in support of Arab causes and the rights of the Arab states to restore their occupied territories, foremost Jerusalem.

In a statement to the Saudi daily al-Madina issued today, the Indonesian President said we "have absolutely no intention to establish relations with Israel. We are a peace-loving country, seeking to establish peace and to have peace established all over the occupied Arab territories." The Indonesian President added that Israel has to take the initiative to work toward achieving peace and committing itself to international legitimacy resolutions providing for just and comprehensive peace in the region.

President Habibie described the cause of Palestine as that of Arab and Islamic nations alike, adding that his country supports the right of the Palestinian people to restore their occupied territories and establish their own independent state on their own native soil with Jerusalem as a capital.