SBY to Discuss Islamic State Threat With US Religious Leaders

Jakarta Globe,  Sep 18, 2014

Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the first lady, Ani Yudhoyono, boarding their
plane at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport on Thursday. (Antara Photo/
Widodo S. Jusuf)

Jakarta. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will discuss solutions to contain the Islamic State terrorist organization active in Iraq and Syria when he meets with religious leaders in the United States this week.

“This is one of the themes that will be discussed in Washington DC when I meet with US Islamic and non-Islamic leaders,” Yudhoyono was quoted as saying by state-run Antara news agency on Thursday morning, before departing for Portugal on the first leg of his trip.

Besides Portugal and the US, the president and his wife, Ani Yudhoyono, will also visit Japan.

“This is not just about the military operation by Western powers or other members of the international community, what is needed, according to Indonesia, is a political solution and a non-military solution.”

Yudhoyono is scheduled to leave Portugal on Saturday and then head to the US. In New York, Yudhoyono will attend the high-level plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly. He will chair the plenary meeting of the UN Climate Summit, give the opening speech at the Open Government Partnership High Level Event and officially open the Indonesian Muslim Association in America (Imaam) Center.

The president has also been invited to give a speech at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Yudhoyono’s term in office ends on Oct. 20, when President-elect Joko Widodo is set to be inaugurated.