Jakarta (AsiaNews) – US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice expressed her appreciation for Indonesia's democracy, its leadership role in South-East Asia and its moderate policies during a visit to Jakarta.

Ms Rice's trip to the world's largest Muslim country is designed to improve the image of the US in the Muslim world, badly bruised by criticism following US intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan and the recent Muhammad cartoon controversy.

In a press conference yesterday with her Indonesian counterpart, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda, the secretary said she was sorry about the "lack of understanding of how much the United States respects the people who are of Islamic faith."

Ms Rice's visit was preceded by several anti-US protests. Yesterday demonstrators in front of the US Embassy in Jakarta shouted "Rice, Go to Hell", "The US creates problems wherever it goes".

Ms Rice, who left for Australia today, reiterated her government's willingness to work with Indonesia in the fight against terrorism, conscious that some US foreign policy initiatives were "unpopular". But in a politically smart move, she visited the Islam al-Makmuriah—one of the oldest Islamic boarding school complex in the capital.

In a clear reference to the ideology of Muslim extremists and terrorism, which have bloodied Indonesia in recent years, she said that "Indonesia has a very big role to play as an example of what moderation and tolerance and inclusiveness of a society can be".

The US views Indonesia as a moderate voice within the Muslim world and is hopeful that it can have a positive influence even in the Middle East, especially after Hamas' victory in Palestine, which Indonesia welcomed.

With Foreign Minister Wirajuda, Ms Rice met with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, whom she praised for his commitment to post-tsunami reconstruction and peace in Aceh, to the fight against corruption, and for his efforts to convince Myanmar's military junta to implement democratic reforms.

In Washington's geopolitical strategy for South-East Asia, Indonesia is a key ally not only in the fight against terrorism, but also for broadening the appeal of democracy in the region.

In 2004, Indonesia held its first free election since the fall of Dictator Suharto in 1998.

Presidential spokesman Dino Pati Djalal said that during the talks with Ms Rice President Susilo urged the West to promote "strong and good relations" with Islam and avoid the so-called "clash of civilisations".

Ms Rice and the Indonesian president also discussed the need to strengthen cooperation in fighting the bird flu and improve bilateral relations after military ties were renewed in November.

Before leaving today however, she urged Jakarta to accelerate military reform because a reformed and efficient army is in everybody's interest. (MH)