Arafat confident of Indonesia's continued backing to Palestine

Palestine President Yasser Arafat expressed confidence that Indonesia, under President Abdurrahman Wahid's leadership, will maintain its long-standing support for Palestine's struggle for independence, Indonesian news agency ANTARA reported.

Indonesia has always stood by Palestine, Arafat said, adding he was sure President Abdurrahman Wahid would continue this policy.

Touching on President Wahid's statement that Indonesia may establish economic relations with Israel, Arafat said he was sure President Wahid had duly considered the advantages and disadvantages in the political, economic and social fields of such relations with Israel.

He added that he believed Indonesia as the world's largest Islamic country would never stop giving its support to Palestine's struggle. "Indonesia has always stood by the Palestine people. I am sure that this will be maintained by President Wahid," he added.

Relatedly, The Indonesian Islamic Solidarity Committee (KSI) Tuesday warned that the opening of economic relations with Israel would benefit the Jewish state politically.

"We implore the government to consider the psychological effects economic relations with Israel will have on the Indonesian people who include the largest Moslem community in the world," KSI chairman Zulfikar Lukman said.

In a statement, made available to ANTARA, Zulfikar said the Committee was also urging the government to remain committed to its stand that Indonesia will not establish diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv as long as the Zionists refuse to recognize the Palestinian people's full independence in accordance with UN resolutions 242 and 338 and the peace accords Israel has signed.

President Wahid said last Sunday, Indonesia might open economic relations with Israel without first establishing diplomatic ties.

"Indonesia has not yet established diplomatic relations with Israel. But, maybe, Indonesia will open economic contacts or establish economic relations with Israel," Wahid told participants of an international seminar entitled "Indonesia Next" in Bali.