RI SHOULD PERSUADE OBAMA TO REPATRIATE HAMBALI : SCHOLAR

Jakarta, March 18 (ANTARA) - US President Barack Obama's planned visit to Indonesia can be used by human rights activists to submit a petition for returning terror suspect Hambali, a scholar said.

"The petition needs to be made so that Hambali can be tried in Indonesia. Through an open trial here the roots of terrorism in Indonesia can be retraced," Sapto Waluyo said.

Sapto Waluyo, executive director of the Center for Indonesia Reform, said here Wednesday , if Hambali was repatriated the Indonesian authorities would greatly helped in revealing the roots of terrorism.

Meanwhile, another scholar, Rizal Sukma of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said Obama should be further reminded about his campaign pledges to reconcile with the Islamic World.

When US Vice President Joe Biden visited Jerusalem, the Israeli government announced its plan to build 1,600 new houses for Jews on Palestinian territory.

"How is Obama's stance on this matter?" Rizal said.

In his speech at Cairo University on June 4, 2009, President Barack Obama promised a new beginning in the United States' relations with the Islamic World.

"I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition."
"Instead, they overlap, and share common principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings. I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight," Obama said in his historic speech.

Obama is scheduled to pay a state visit to Indonesia next week. His planned visit has triggered pros and cons in Indonesian society.

The Indonesian people at large, including moderate Muslims of the country's two largest Islamic organizations -- Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, warmly welcome his visit.

But such conservative Islamic organizations as Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) rejects Obama's visit, claiming it is aimed only at boosting America's economic interests in Indonesia.

Obama once lived in Jakarta along with his mother and Indonesian stepfather. During his stay in Indonesian capital for a couple of years, he attended local elementary schools.