Alwi senses U.S. uneasiness at RI internal conflicts<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab revealed that in
\nhis meetings with United States officials, he detected a sense of
\nuneasiness from Washington at the continuing troubles besetting
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
While stressing that Washington seemed to be firm in its
\nsupport for the government here, Alwi noted that U.S. officials
\nseemed increasingly anxious and upset when discussing the
\nsituation in Indonesia, particularly the continuing violence in
\nMaluku and Aceh.<\/p>\n
He added that there were signs that the U.S. government wanted
\nto directly \"assist\" in these matters. However, he said, Jakarta
\nis unable to accommodate these desires as there are \"technical
\nproblems\" involved.<\/p>\n
\"(As a result) they seem to feel a little bit upset with our
\ngovernment,\" Alwi told The Jakarta Post on Thursday while
\nsuggesting that the offers of assistance were often coupled with
\ndemands for certain \"privileges\".<\/p>\n
Alwi remarked that Jakarta appreciates the concern and the
\nattention being paid to Indonesia. Nevertheless, some of the
\nreciprocal requests were simply impossible to accommodate.<\/p>\n
He singled out criticism which alleges that Jakarta is
\nhampering U.S. efforts to send humanitarian aid to strife-torn
\nareas around the country by not letting American aid workers into
\nsuch areas.<\/p>\n
\"The government's position is very difficult. If we allow them
\nto come and some of their people get killed, then we would be
\nheld responsible for it at a time when we are trying hard to
\nimprove the security situation,\" the minister asserted.<\/p>\n
Alwi further revealed that there were requests for special
\nvisas for volunteers who wanted to assist in improving democracy
\nin Indonesia. He said Jakarta could not accommodate these
\nrequests due to administrative difficulties here.<\/p>\n
Alwi stressed that while Jakarta will do its best to
\naccommodate any requests that are reasonable, it will not be
\nwilling to compromise on its cardinal principle of rejecting
\nforeign intervention in domestic affairs.<\/p>\n
\"We do not want to be interfered with while we are trying to
\nresolve the current security problems around the country. I
\nbelieve that all foreign countries understand this principle and
\nsupport our efforts,\" Alwi remarked.<\/p>\n
He stressed that these \"small problems\" could be settled in
\nthe near future and would not damage ties.<\/p>\n
When asked about Washington's remarks concerning Maluku, Alwi
\ncontended it did not mean that they wished to interfere but was
\naimed merely at encouraging Indonesia to solve the country's
\nsecurity problems in as short a time as possible.<\/p>\n
The U.S. government respects and supports the ongoing process
\nof democratization in Indonesia but is concerned that the poor
\nsecurity situation will hamper the process, he added. (dja)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/alwi-senses-us-uneasiness-at-ri-internal-conflicts-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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