Yudhoyono Talks About Pluralism In Indonesia At West Point

New York (Antara Bali) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono explained about pluralism in Indonesia in a general lecture before cadets of the US Military Academy during a visit to the US on Monday.

On the occasion he also extended a message from Indonesian cadets to US cadets and instructors in which they expressed readiness to build friendship with their counterparts in the US.

"We also have strong desires to build harmonious relationship between civilizations and religions to make the world more peaceful and secure," he said quoting the message from cadets in the Indonesian Military Academy in Magelang in Central Java.

He said "the message came from cadets from various backgrounds represented by Major Sergeant Angger Panduyuda and Kodrat Adiaji who are all Moslem and Robert Willem, a Christian, Protasius Widianto. a Catholic and I Gede Bagus a Hindu.

"Like you all they also love their country," he said.

President Yudhoyono said that Indonesia is the third biggest democracy in the world after India and the US.

"Indonesia is located almost half the world from here. It is the biggest country in Southeast Asia. It stretches from east to west as far as from New York to San Fransisco. It has three time zones," he said.

As the biggest democracy more than 130 citizens voted in the recent presidential election.

"We have now also become the new economic power and also a member of the G20 group like the Us," he said.

He was welcomed by Lt. Gen. Robert L Calsen Jr upon arrival. During the visit he received a military salute from West Point honorary cadets carrying the US and Indonesian flags.

During the visit he was accompanied by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and several cabinet ministers including coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs Djoko Suyanto, coordinating minister for economic affairs Chairul Tanjung, education minister Moh Nuh, industry minister MS Hidayat and other officials.

President Yudhoyono is slated to hand over his post to Joko Widodo, the winner in the presidential election on July 9, on October 20, this year after hold the post for two five-year terms. (WDY)