President sends letter to Egypt to share experience

In a press conference at his office here on Monday President Yudhoyono said that the letter had been taken by the president`s special envoy and former foreign minister and ambassador to Egypt Hassan Wirayuda.

Antara News, Mon, February 07 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has sent a letter to the Egyptian government to share its experience in dealing with political crisis and transition of power with them.

In a press conference at his office here on Monday President Yudhoyono said that the letter had been taken by the president`s special envoy and former foreign minister and ambassador to Egypt Hassan Wirayuda.

"It contains among other things Indonesia`s wish to share its experience 12 years ago in dealing with a similar crisis now being faced by Egypt," he said.

Indonesia, he said, after reform in 1998 later could successfully conduct democratic transition and brought changes from the old order of government to the new one.

"Their Indonesian brothers also experienced the same thing in the past but thank God we could overcome it and eventually be able to conduct reform, democratic transition and transformation as we could see until today," he said.

President Yudhoyono hoped the message he wrote on the letter could reach the government of Egypt for use as a comparison.

Hassan Wirajuda, he said, is right now still seeking ways to make the letter able to reach the government of Egypt.

He hoped the letter would be responded positively from the Egyptian government.

While continuing to respect Egypt`s sovereignty as a nation and a state President Yudhoyono hoped the Egyptian government could overcome its domestic problem correctly and wisely to prevent violence and unwanted victims.

Indonesia, he said, will always support the Egyptian government so that their problem could be settled immediately.

"As a friendly country that has had good relations since the country`s independence I took an initiative to write the letter which I addressed to the government of Egypt," he said.

Egypt is the first country to recognize the Indonesian declaration of independence on August 17, 1945.

Editor: Heru

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