President Bush and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono meet at Bogor Palace in Indonesia, Monday, November 20. (© AP Images)

Bush, Indonesia's Megawati Denounce Linking of Terrorism and Religion Initial Plan Proposed for Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System President Bush Meets with President Yudhoyono of Indonesia President Bush Meets with Civil Leaders in Indonesia Joint Statement Between the United States and the Republic of Indonesia Millennium Challenge Account - US Department of State Education - US Department of State

20 November 2006

(Says $55 million U.S. grant recognizes Indonesia’s commitment to reform)

Washington -- The United States is supporting Indonesia’s reform efforts and recognizes the commitment of its leaders to strengthen democratic institutions and government, President Bush said during a November 20 visit.

In remarks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at Bogor Palace, Bush cited the signing of a $55 million Millennium Challenge Account threshold agreement October 25.  He said Yudhoyono understands that economic reform, fighting corruption and investing in the Indonesian people will help his country succeed.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation's (MCC) Threshold Country Program is designed to assist countries that are on the "threshold," meaning that they are committed to undertaking the reforms necessary to improve policy performance and eventually qualify for Millennium Challenge Account Compact assistance.

“We would not have made this commitment, Mr. President, if you were, yourself, not committed to reform,” Bush said.

The agreement will help the Indonesian government immunize children against diseases, and reduce public corruption through measures such as judiciary reform, increased public awareness and transparency.

The United States also has provided more than $150 million to help Indonesia modernize its education system.  “One thousand schools spread across eight provinces in Indonesia are now benefiting from our education partnership,” Bush said, adding “we will continue to help.”  (See related article.)

Bush described Indonesia as “an example of how democracy and modernization can provide an alternative to extremism,” and thanked Yudhoyono for democratic reforms that are “making Indonesia strong and better able to play a positive role in Southeast Asia and the world.”

Yudhoyono thanked Bush for the U.S. assistance “in the field of economics, investment, trade, education, health, technology, [and] military,” as well as aid after the December 2004 tsunami and the May 2006 earthquake in Yogyakarta and central Java, “which shows solidarity and cooperation between the two countries.”

The United States also is helping Indonesia and other countries in the region build an early warning system for natural disasters by 2009. (See related article.)

Many in the global press focused on Indonesian demonstrations against President Bush.  Asked about the protests, Bush said Indonesia should be credited for being a society where “people are able to protest and say what they think” about his policies.

“I applaud a society where people are free to come and express their opinion,” he said.  “It's a sign of a healthy society.”

The president added that he believes “in the universality of freedom,” and the right of people all over the world to live in free societies,” including the freedom to practice their religion of choice.

“[T]herefore, our policies are to promote that kind of form of government,” he said.

A transcript of Bush's joint press availability with Yudhoyono, his remarks with Indonesian civil leaders, and the full text of a joint statement on the meeting are available on the White House Web site.

For more information on U.S. policy, see Millennium Challenge Account and Education.