President Barack Obama called Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to congratulate him on his re-election last week, and to express condolences and solidarity with the Indonesian people in the wake of suicide attacks on the Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott hotels in Jakarta yesterday which killed seven people.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Malaysian bombmaker Noordin Mohammad Top, previously linked with a militant wing of the al Qaeda-affiliated Southeast Asian terrorist group Jemaah Islamiya, is suspected of being involved in the attacks. "Before the attacks, authorities found explosives near an Islamic boarding school -- with ties to a woman believed to be Top's wife -- on the island of Java, which includes Jakarta, the Indonesian capital," the paper reported. "The explosives appeared similar to those used in the bombings, according to a second U.S. official, who has been briefed on the Indonesian investigation."
From a White House read-out of Obama's call:
The President and President Yudhoyono reaffirmed the close cooperation between the United States and Indonesia in countering extremism in Southeast Asia and around the world. The President noted that Indonesia's successful election on July 8 reminds the world that Islam, democracy, and diversity can coexist and thrive.
The Presidents expressed support for the developing comprehensive partnership between the United States and Indonesia, and committed to intensify cooperation across a range of issues including democracy promotion, educational exchange, and climate change.
Obama lived in Indonesia as a child, from 1967-1971.
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