Downer's faith in region

The Australian ^ | 12/6/04 | Patrick Walters

[Valin]

IN the middle of Central Java today, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer will co-host a unique gathering of religious leaders in what he hopes will become a regular event.

Mr Downer and his Indonesian counterpart, Hassan Wirajuda, will welcome more than 100 prominent religious figures from 14 countries ranging from Burma to New Zealand.

The two-day gathering in Yogyakarta will be opened this morning by Indonesian President Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Mr Downer will also use the two days to discuss further counter-terrorism co-operation. That will include a separate bilateral discussion with Indonesia's new leader today on the idea of a new security treaty.

Tomorrow, he will have his first opportunity to meet with Mr Yudhoyono's new cabinet in Jakarta.

The interfaith dialogue brings representatives from the 10 ASEAN nations as well as Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and East Timor.

An idea conceived earlier this year by the two foreign ministers, the conference has been strongly backed by ASEAN leaders including Philippines President Gloria Arroyo.

Australia's participants include the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, George Pell; Ameer Ali, president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils; and the Most Venerable Phuoc Hue, president of the Buddhist Federation of Australia.

Mr Downer told The Australian yesterday that extremists "were not invited" to the Yogyakarta meeting.

"We want to do more to empower the moderate majorities who seek peace, harmony and tolerance in all our communities," Mr Downer said before leaving for Yogyakarta.

"The important thing is to build some momentum for understanding between these different religions.

"Neither country wants to let extremists set the agenda with their deliberate attempts to create discord and incite violence."

The Australian