Aid and politics<\/p>\n
With the billions of dollars of international aid -- following
\nthe tsunami disaster that hit Aceh province on Dec. 26 -- flowing
\nacross international borders, people are beginning to ask whether
\nmuch of this aid is politically motivated. The answer to this is
\nof course: It is!<\/p>\n
The real question should be whether or not the motivations of
\nthe individual countries behind the aid are going to be
\nbeneficial for the region. Once again the answer is a resounding
\nyes.<\/p>\n
Australian Prime Minister John Howard doesn't get out of bed
\nin the morning unless there is going to be some form of political
\ngain. As such, Australia's donations to tsunami-affected
\ncountries and especially Indonesia will be viewed correctly as
\nbeing politically motivated. The fact that Australia is the
\nworld's largest donor shows that its government feels it has to
\nmake up for its past indiscretions.<\/p>\n
The Australian government reaching out to Indonesia should
\nonly be viewed as a positive step. Not only for the battle
\nagainst terrorism, but also for the socioeconomic wellbeing of
\nboth countries. It is important to remember that both of these
\nbattles are not mutually exclusive but are in fact intertwined.<\/p>\n
Through increased trade in the region we can improve the
\nliving conditions of both countries. It is an all to easily
\nforgotten fact that international trade is not a zero sum game.<\/p>\n
Labor intensive Indonesia would benefit greatly from an
\nincreased pooling of resources with capital intensive Australia.
\nThis would in turn filter through to increased socioeconomic
\nconditions for both countries (but more notably Indonesia) and
\nthus remove a large element of desperation in impoverished
\nregions that can sometimes lead to terrorism.<\/p>\n
MARK BRUNY, Sydney, Australia<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/aid-and-politics-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }