Experts advise moderation in response to war<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Experts and public figures suggested on Tuesday that the
\ngovernment maintain amicable relations with the United States
\ndespite the fact that the country is leading an assault on Iraq.<\/p>\n
They said the government's stance on the Iraq war should not
\njeopardize Indonesia's interests.<\/p>\n
During a one-day gathering called the National Security Talks
\nhosted by Coordinating Minister for Political and Security
\nAffairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, experts said an antiwar
\ncampaign was no longer relevant as the U.S.-led attack on Iraq
\nhad already taken place. They, nevertheless, urged the government
\nto continue promoting a diplomatic approach to seek a solution to
\nMiddle East issues, \"which is more realistic at the moment\".<\/p>\n
The meeting was aimed at collecting inputs on Indonesia's
\nforeign policy to bring back peace so as to prevent the war
\ndisrupting domestic interests.<\/p>\n
Participants in the gathering included former Cabinet
\nministers Ali Alatas, Alwi Shihab, Juwono Sudarsono, Muladi and
\nTB Silalahi, and National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas)
\nGovernor Ermaya Suradinata.<\/p>\n
Senior journalist and former Indonesian ambassador to
\nAustralia Sabam Siagian, Jusuf Wanandi of the Centre for
\nStrategic and International Studies (CSIS), noted preacher
\nAbdullah \"Aa Gym\" Gymnastiar, and Muslim intellectuals Azyumardi
\nAzra and Nurcholish Madjid were among those in attendance.<\/p>\n
\"We have to be realistic. Indonesia alone will not be able to
\nstop the war. It requires a commitment among the nations of the
\nworld to do so,\" Ali Alatas said.<\/p>\n
The former foreign minister suggested that Indonesia keep the
\nmore important issue of Palestine alive despite the Iraq war.<\/p>\n
\"Ask the UN to promote fairness in settling the dispute
\nbetween Palestine and Israel,\" Ali said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Sabam suggested that the government remain aware of
\ndomestic problems as a result of the war, especially in
\nconnection with the economy.<\/p>\n
\"In voicing its stance on the Iraq war, the government has to
\nbe wise so that its policy does not affect domestic interests,\"
\nSabam said.<\/p>\n
Analysts have warned that Indonesia's economic growth could
\nslow should the war in Iraq last for more than six months,
\nsignaling a worsening economic scenario.<\/p>\n
In the wake of antiwar campaigns across the nation, various
\ndemands have been voiced, including pressuring the government to
\ncut economic ties with the U.S. and its allies. Some protesters
\nalso vowed to boycott all U.S. products.<\/p>\n
As the largest Muslim country in the world, Indonesia faces
\ndifficulties in tackling domestic problems in the wake of the
\nwar. Many even believe that the war has opened the door for a
\nrevival among Indonesia's hard-line groups even though the
\ngovernment and interfaith groups have repeatedly said that the
\nwar has nothing to do with religion.<\/p>\n
In order to cope with the problems, Azyumardi Azra urged the
\ngovernment to promote dialog with these religious groups,
\nincluding the hard-liners, saying that \"strong opposition to war
\nin Iraq is not enough to maintain our domestic interests.\"<\/p>\n
\"We have to realize that, whether we like it or not, the war
\nin Iraq is hurting the hearts of Muslim people here,\" Jusuf
\nWanandi added.<\/p>",
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