Indonesia is expected to press US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for access to intelligence from two key members of Al Qaeda, who have been captured by the US. The first terrorist suspect Indonesia wants access to information from is Hambali, who was seized by US agents in Thailand in 2003. He has been named as Al Qaeda's chief operative in South-East Asia and the operations head of Jemaah Islamiah. Indonesia also wants access to intelligence gathered from Omar Farouk, who confessed to financing many attacks throughout South-East Asia before escaping from US custody in 2005.Ms Rice will receive the request during her first visit to Indonesia, which begins on Sunday. She will be meeting with her Indonesian counterpart, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda, and with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Dr Yudhoyono has a personal stake in the Hambali case - as chief security minister he was rebuffed by the US when he went to Washington a month after the arrest to seek access to Hambali. When her visit to Indonesia is complete, Dr Rice will visit Australia.
Rice cancels Australia, Indonesia trip
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has cancelled a trip to Australia and Indonesia because of concerns over the condition of critically ill Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.