REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NUSA DUA - The world would become better, more prosperous, and stronger with the interaction and integrity of civilizations that could take a cue from Indonesia's experience as a country with great diversity, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono affirmed.

"I am aware of the different events in the world recorded in history, which show clashes among civilizations that trigger wars, conflicts, and suppression. But, I believe that we can now write a new chapter in Indonesia's history for the better," President Yudhoyono stated while opening the Sixth Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) on Friday.

He cited Indonesia as an example, which is situated along the trade route linking the Pacific and Indian Ocean, for ably managing its interactions with different world cultures and civilizations for centuries.

"In a process that has been taking place for centuries, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and western cultures merged with the local cultures to become part of the nation's cultural heritage," he asserted.

Therefore, he noted that there were no fundamental clashes among civilizations, and in general, they had been in harmony with those found in Indonesia. The president stated that Indonesia, in the 21st century, has shown that Islam, democracy, and modernization could co-exist in harmony.

He referred to the Indonesian "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Deversity) slogan as a symbol of the country's unity.

"In our world, which is not perfect, many people with respective reasons are suspicious about differences and diversities, and use them as reasons for creating hostility," Yudhoyono stated, adding that mankind, therefore, must pay a high price for the intolerance of certain parties.

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