The President:
Selamat pagi. (applause) It is wonderful to be here at the University of Indonesia. To the faculty and the staff and
the students, and to Dr. Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri, thank you
so much for your hospitality. (applause) Assalamualaikum dan
salam sejahtera. Thank you for this
wonderful welcome. Thank you to the people of
Jakarta and thank you to the people of Indonesia. Pulang kampung nih. (applause) I am so glad that I
made it back to Indonesia and that Michelle was
able to join me. We had a couple of false starts
this year, but I was determined to visit a country that's
meant so much to me. And unfortunately, this visit is
too short, but I look forward to coming back a year from now when
Indonesia hosts the East Asia Summit. (applause) Before I go any further, I want
to say that our thoughts and prayers are with all of those
Indonesians who are affected by the recent tsunami and
the volcanic eruptions -- particularly those who've lost
loved ones, and those who've been displaced. And I want you all to know that
as always, the United States stands with Indonesia in
responding to natural disasters, and we are pleased to be
able to help as needed. As neighbors help neighbors and
families take in the displaced, I know that the strength and the
resilience of the Indonesian people will pull you
through once more. Let me begin with a simple
statement: Indonesia bagian dari
didi saya. (applause) I first came to this
country when my mother married an Indonesian
named Lolo Soetoro. And as a young boy I was -- as
a young boy I was coming to a different world. But the people of Indonesia
quickly made me feel at home. Jakarta -- now, Jakarta looked
very different in those days. The city was filled with
buildings that were no more than a few stories tall. This was back in 1967, '68 --
most of you weren't born yet. (laughter) The Hotel Indonesia
was one of the few high rises, and there was just one big
department store called Sarinah. That was it. (applause) Betchaks and bemos,
that's how you got around. They outnumbered
automobiles in those days. And you didn't have all the big
highways that you have today. Most of them gave way to
unpaved roads and the kampongs. So we moved to Menteng Dalam,
where -- (applause) -- hey, some folks from Menteng
Dalam right here. (applause) And we lived in a small house. We had a mango tree out front. And I learned to love Indonesia
while flying kites and running along the paddy fields and
catching dragonflies, buying satay and baso from
the street vendors. (applause) I still remember
the call of the vendors. Satay! (laughter) I remember that.
Baso! (laughter) But most of all, I
remember the people -- the old men and women who welcomed us
with smiles; the children who made a foreign child feel like a
neighbor and a friend; and the teachers who helped me
learn about this country. Because Indonesia is made up
of thousands of islands, and hundreds of languages, and
people from scores of regions and ethnic groups, my time here
helped me appreciate the common humanity of all people. And while my stepfather, like
most Indonesians, was raised a Muslim, he firmly believed that
all religions were worthy of respect. And in this way -- (applause) -- in this way he reflected the
spirit of religious tolerance that is enshrined in Indonesia's
Constitution, and that remains one of this country's defining
and inspiring characteristics. (applause) Now, I stayed here for four
years -- a time that helped shape my childhood; a time that
saw the birth of my wonderful sister, Maya; a time that made
such an impression on my mother that she kept returning to
Indonesia over the next 20 years to live and to work and to
travel -- and to pursue her passion of promoting opportunity
in Indonesia's villages, especially opportunity
for women and for girls. And I was so honored -- (applause) -- I was so honored when
President Yudhoyono last night at the state dinner presented an
award on behalf of my mother, recognizing the
work that she did. And she would have been so
proud, because my mother held Indonesia and its people very
close to her heart for her entire life. (applause) So much has changed in the four
decades since I boarded a plane to move back to Hawaii. If you asked me -- or any of my
schoolmates who knew me back then -- I don't think any of us
could have anticipated that one day I would come back to Jakarta
as the President of the United States. (applause) And few could have
anticipated the remarkable story of Indonesia over these
last four decades. The Jakarta that I once knew has
grown into a teeming city of nearly 10 million, with
skyscrapers that dwarf the Hotel Indonesia, and thriving centers
of culture and of commerce. While my Indonesian friends and
I used to run in fields with water buffalo and goats -- (laughter) -- a new generation of Indonesians is among the most wired in the world -- connected
through cell phones and social networks. And while Indonesia as a young
nation focused inward, a growing Indonesia now plays a key role
in the Asia Pacific and in the global economy. (applause) Now, this change also
extends to politics. When my stepfather was a boy, he
watched his own father and older brother leave home to fight
and die in the struggle for Indonesian independence. And I'm happy to be here on
Heroes Day to honor the memory of so many Indonesians who have
sacrificed on behalf of this great country. (applause) When I moved to Jakarta, it was
1967, and it was a time that had followed great suffering and
conflict in parts of this country. And even though my stepfather
had served in the Army, the violence and killing during that
time of political upheaval was largely unknown to me because it
was unspoken by my Indonesian family and friends. In my household, like so many
others across Indonesia, the memories of that time were
an invisible presence. Indonesians had their
independence, but oftentimes they were afraid to speak
their minds about issues. In the years since then,
Indonesia has charted its own course through an extraordinary
democratic transformation -- from the rule of an iron fist
to the rule of the people. In recent years, the world has
watched with hope and admiration as Indonesians embraced the
peaceful transfer of power and the direct election of leaders. And just as your democracy is
symbolized by your elected President and legislature, your
democracy is sustained and fortified by its checks and
balances: a dynamic civil society; political parties and
unions; a vibrant media and engaged citizens who have
ensured that -- in Indonesia -- there will be no turning
back from democracy. But even as this land of my
youth has changed in so many ways, those things that I
learned to love about Indonesia -- that spirit of tolerance
that is written into your Constitution; symbolized in
mosques and churches and temples standing alongside each other;
that spirit that's embodied in your people -- that
still lives on. (applause) Bhinneka Tunggal
Ika -- unity in diversity. (applause) This is the
foundation of Indonesia's example to the world, and this
is why Indonesia will play such an important part
in the 21st century. So today, I return to Indonesia
as a friend, but also as a President who seeks a deep and
enduring partnership between our two countries. (applause) Because as vast and
diverse countries; as neighbors on either side of the Pacific;
and above all as democracies -- the United States and Indonesia
are bound together by shared interests and shared values. Yesterday, President Yudhoyono
and I announced a new Comprehensive Partnership
between the United States and Indonesia. We are increasing ties between
our governments in many different areas, and -- just as
importantly -- we are increasing ties among our people. This is a partnership of equals,
grounded in mutual interests and mutual respect. So with the rest of my time
today, I'd like to talk about why the story I just told -- the
story of Indonesia since the days when I lived here -- is so
important to the United States and to the world. I will focus on three areas
that are closely related, and fundamental to human progress
-- development, democracy and religious faith. First, the friendship between
the United States and Indonesia can advance our mutual
interest in development. When I moved to Indonesia, it
would have been hard to imagine a future in which the prosperity
of families in Chicago and Jakarta would be connected. But our economies are now
global, and Indonesians have experienced both the promise and
the perils of globalization: from the shock of the Asian
financial crisis in the '90s, to the millions lifted out of
poverty because of increased trade and commerce. What that means -- and what we
learned in the recent economic crisis -- is that we have a
stake in each other's success. America has a stake in Indonesia
growing and developing, with prosperity that is broadly
shared among the Indonesian people -- because a rising
middle class here in Indonesia means new markets for our goods,
just as America is a market for goods coming from Indonesia. So we are investing more in
Indonesia, and our exports have grown by nearly 50 percent,
and we are opening doors for Americans and Indonesians to
do business with one another. America has a stake in an
Indonesia that plays its rightful role in shaping
the global economy. Gone are the days when seven
or eight countries would come together to determine the
direction of global markets. That's why the G20 is now the
center of international economic cooperation, so that emerging
economies like Indonesia have a greater voice and also bear
greater responsibility for guiding the global economy. And through its leadership of
the G20's anti-corruption group, Indonesia should lead on the
world stage and by example in embracing transparency
and accountability. (applause) America has a stake in an
Indonesia that pursues sustainable development, because
the way we grow will determine the quality of our lives and
the health of our planet. And that's why we're developing
clean energy technologies that can power industry and preserve
Indonesia's precious natural resources -- and America
welcomes your country's strong leadership in the global effort
to combat climate change. Above all, America has a stake
in the success of the Indonesian people. Underneath the headlines of
the day, we must build bridges between our people, because our
future security and prosperity is shared. And that is exactly what
we're doing -- by increasing collaboration among our
scientists and researchers, and by working together to
foster entrepreneurship. And I'm especially pleased that
we have committed to double the number of American and
Indonesian students studying in our respective countries. (applause) We want more Indonesian students in American schools, and we want more American students to come study in this country. (applause) We want to forge new
ties and greater understanding between young people
in this young century. These are the issues that really
matter in our daily lives. Development, after all, is not
simply about growth rates and numbers on a balance sheet. It's about whether a child can
learn the skills they need to make it in a changing world. It's about whether a good idea
is allowed to grow into a business, and not
suffocated by corruption. It's about whether those forces
that have transformed the Jakarta I once knew --
technology and trade and the flow of people and goods -- can
translate into a better life for all Indonesians, for all human
beings, a life marked by dignity and opportunity. Now, this kind of development
is inseparable from the role of democracy. Today, we sometimes hear that
democracy stands in the way of economic progress. This is not a new argument. Particularly in times of change
and economic uncertainty, some will say that it is easier to
take a shortcut to development by trading away the right of
human beings for the power of the state. But that's not what I saw on my
trip to India, and that is not what I see here in Indonesia. Your achievements demonstrate
that democracy and development reinforce one another. Like any democracy, you have
known setbacks along the way. America is no different. Our own Constitution spoke of
the effort to forge a "more perfect union," and that is a journey that we've traveled ever since. We've endured civil war and we
struggled to extend equal rights to all of our citizens. But it is precisely this effort
that has allowed us to become stronger and more prosperous,
while also becoming a more just and a more free society. Like other countries that
emerged from colonial rule in the last century, Indonesia
struggled and sacrificed for the right to determine your destiny. That is what Heroes Day is all
about -- an Indonesia that belongs to Indonesians. But you also ultimately decided
that freedom cannot mean replacing the strong hand of a
colonizer with a strongman of your own. Of course, democracy is messy. Not everyone likes the
results of every election. You go through
your ups and downs. But the journey is worthwhile,
and it goes beyond casting a ballot. It takes strong institutions
to check the power -- the concentration of power. It takes open markets to
allow individuals to thrive. It takes a free press and an
independent justice system to root out abuses and excess, and
to insist on accountability. It takes open society and active
citizens to reject inequality and injustice. These are the forces that will
propel Indonesia forward. And it will require a refusal
to tolerate the corruption that stands in the way of
opportunity; a commitment to transparency that gives every
Indonesian a stake in their government; and a belief that
the freedom of Indonesians -- that Indonesians have fought for
is what holds this great nation together. That is the message of the
Indonesians who have advanced this democratic story -- from
those who fought in the Battle of Surabaya 55 years ago today;
to the students who marched peacefully for democracy in
the 1990s; to leaders who have embraced the peaceful transition
of power in this young century. Because ultimately, it will be
the rights of citizens that will stitch together this remarkable
Nusantara that stretches from Sabang to Merauke, an insistence
-- (applause) -- an insistencethat every child
born in this country should be treated equally, whether they
come from Java or Aceh; from Bali or Papua. (applause) That all Indonesians have equal rights. That effort extends to the
example that Indonesia is now setting abroad. Indonesia took the initiative
to establish the Bali Democracy Forum, an open forum for
countries to share their experiences and best practices
in fostering democracy. Indonesia has also been at the
forefront of pushing for more attention to human
rights within ASEAN. The nations of Southeast Asia
must have the right to determine their own destiny, and the
United States will strongly support that right. But the people of Southeast Asia
must have the right to determine their own destiny as well. And that's why we condemned
elections in Burma recently that were neither free nor fair. That is why we are supporting
your vibrant civil society in working with counterparts
across this region. Because there's no reason why
respect for human rights should stop at the border
of any country. Hand in hand, that is what
development and democracy are about -- the notion that
certain values are universal. Prosperity without freedom is
just another form of poverty. Because there are aspirations
that human beings share -- the liberty of knowing that your
leader is accountable to you, and that you won't be locked up
for disagreeing with them; the opportunity to get an education
and to be able to work with dignity; the freedom to practice your faith without fear or restriction. Those are universal values that
must be observed everywhere. Now, religion is the final topic
that I want to address today, and -- like democracy and
development -- it is fundamental to the Indonesian story. Like the other Asian nations
that I'm visiting on this trip, Indonesia is steeped in
spirituality -- a place where people worship God in
many different ways. Along with this rich diversity,
it is also home to the world's largest Muslim population -- a
truth I came to know as a boy when I heard the call to
prayer across Jakarta. Just as individuals are not
defined solely by their faith, Indonesia is defined by more
than its Muslim population. But we also know that relations
between the United States and Muslim communities have
frayed over many years. As President, I have made it
a priority to begin to repair these relations. (applause) As part of that
effort, I went to Cairo last June, and I called for a new
beginning between the United States and Muslims around the
world -- one that creates a path for us to move beyond
our differences. I said then, and I will repeat
now, that no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust. But I believed then, and I
believe today, that we do have a choice. We can choose to be defined by
our differences, and give in to a future of suspicion and mistrust. Or we can choose to do the hard
work of forging common ground, and commit ourselves to the
steady pursuit of progress. And I can promise you -- no
matter what setbacks may come, the United States is
committed to human progress. That is who we are. That is what we've done. And that is what we will do. (applause) Now, we know well the issues
that have caused tensions for many years -- and these are issues that I addressed in Cairo. In the 17 months that have
passed since that speech, we have made some progress, but
we have much more work to do. Innocent civilians in America,
in Indonesia and across the world are still targeted
by violent extremism. I made clear that America is
not, and never will be, at war with Islam. Instead, all of us must work
together to defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates, who have no
claim to be leaders of any religion --- certainly not a
great, world religion like Islam. But those who want to build must
not cede ground to terrorists who seek to destroy. And this is not a task
for America alone. Indeed, here in Indonesia,
you've made progress in rooting out extremists and
combating such violence. In Afghanistan, we continue to
work with a coalition of nations to build the capacity of the
Afghan government to secure its future. Our shared interest is in
building peace in a war-torn land -- a peace that provides
no safe haven for violent extremists, and that provide
hope for the Afghan people. Meanwhile, we've made progress
on one of our core commitments -- our effort to
end the war in Iraq. Nearly 100,000 American troops
have now left Iraq under my presidency. (applause) Iraqis have taken full responsibility for their security. And we will continue to support
Iraq as it forms an inclusive government, and we will bring
all of our troops home. In the Middle East, we have
faced false starts and setbacks, but we've been persistent
in our pursuit of peace. Israelis and Palestinians
restarted direct talks, but enormous obstacles remain. There should be no illusion that
peace and security will come easy. But let there be no doubt:
America will spare no effort in working for the outcome that
is just, and that is in the interests of all the parties
involved -- two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by
side in peace and security. That is our goal. (applause) The stakes are high in
resolving all of these issues. For our world has grown smaller,
and while those forces that connect us have unleashed
opportunity and great wealth, they also empower those who
seek to derail progress. One bomb in a marketplace can
obliterate the bustle of daily commerce. One whispered rumor can obscure
the truth and set off violence between communities that once
lived together in peace. In an age of rapid change and
colliding cultures, what we share as human beings
can sometimes be lost. But I believe that the history
of both America and Indonesia should give us hope. It is a story written
into our national mottos. In the United States, our motto
is E pluribus unum -- out of many, one. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika
-- unity in diversity. (applause) We are two nations, which have traveled different paths. Yet our nations show that
hundreds of millions who hold different beliefs can be united
in freedom under one flag. And we are now building on that
shared humanity -- through young people who will study in each
other's schools; through the entrepreneurs forging ties that
can lead to greater prosperity; and through our embrace of
fundamental democratic values and human aspirations. Before I came here, I visited
Istiqlal mosque -- a place of worship that was still under
construction when I lived in Jakarta. And I admired its soaring
minaret and its imposing dome and welcoming space. But its name and history also
speak to what makes Indonesia great. Istiqlal means independence, and
its construction was in part a testament to the nation's
struggle for freedom. Moreover, this house of worship
for many thousands of Muslims was designed by a
Christian architect. (applause) Such is Indonesia's spirit. Such is the message of
Indonesia's inclusive philosophy, Pancasila. (applause) Across an archipelago
that contains some of God's most beautiful creations, islands
rising above an ocean named for peace, people choose to
worship God as they please. Islam flourishes, but
so do other faiths. Development is strengthened
by an emerging democracy. Ancient traditions endure, even
as a rising power is on the move. That is not to say that
Indonesia is without imperfections. No country is. But here we can find the ability
to bridge divides of race and region and religion -- by the
ability to see yourself in other people. As a child of a different race
who came here from a distant country, I found this spirit in
the greeting that I received upon moving here:
Selamat Datang. As a Christian visiting a mosque
on this visit, I found it in the words of a leader who was
asked about my visit and said, "Muslims are also
allowed in churches. We are all God's followers." That spark of the divine
lives within each of us. We cannot give in to doubt
or cynicism or despair. The stories of Indonesia
and America should make us optimistic, because it tells us
that history is on the side of human progress; that unity is
more powerful than division; and that the people of this world
can live together in peace. May our two nations, working
together, with faith and determination, share these
truths with all mankind. Sebagai penutup, saya
mengucapkan kepada seluruh rakyat Indonesia:
terima kasih atas. Terima kasih. Assalamualaikum. Thank you.
