Foreign interference<\/p>\n
After testifying in the U.S. Congress on Jan. 30, I gave an
\ninterview to a reporter from The Jakarta Post, repeating some of
\nthe points in my testimony. I was surprised to find those
\ncomments criticized by my friend General Sayidiman in a column in
\nthese pages a few days ago.<\/p>\n
I sympathize with General Sayidiman's concern about foreign
\ninterference in Indonesia's affairs. I do not like foreign
\ninterference in the affairs of my country either. However, we
\nlive in an interdependent world. As long as the United States,
\nfor example, depends heavily on borrowing from Japan and other
\ncountries for the healthy functioning of the American economy,
\nAmericans cannot ignore the views of Japanese investors about the
\nstability of our economy and political system.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is even more dependent, particularly now, on the
\nconfidence of foreign investors in Indonesia's economic
\nmanagement and the prospects of economic recovery in Indonesia.
\nAnd Indonesia also must rely on the decisions that foreign
\nlegislators make about committing the tax dollars of their
\ncitizens to support Indonesia's economic recovery. That is why
\nthe House Banking Committee of the U.S. Congress was holding
\nhearings and why I testified there in support of U.S. assistance
\nto the countries of East Asia.<\/p>\n
In fact, my testimony to the U.S. Congress was regarded as
\nextremely positive about Indonesia and about its government. If I
\nhad not acknowledged some of the problems that obviously exist,
\nmy testimony would have been viewed as not credible. Members of
\nCongress have to answer tough questions from their voters about
\nwhat happens when U.S. taxpayer dollars go to help Indonesia.<\/p>\n
I was happy to speak in support of such assistance because I
\ngrew to love Indonesia during the three years that I was
\nfortunate to serve there as American Ambassador. Moreover, as an
\nAmerican, I believe that a strong and independent Indonesia is
\nimportant for the United States -- for the stability of a
\ncritical region of the Pacific Basin, as one of the big potential
\nmarkets of the future, and because Indonesia sets an example of
\nreligious tolerance for the entire world.<\/p>\n
This last point is particularly important, so I would like to
\nquote from what I said to the U.S. Congress:<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia has the largest Moslem population of any country in
\nthe world... And the character of Indonesian Islam is as
\nimportant as its size. Islam as practiced in Indonesia is
\nmoderate and extremely tolerant... As one looks around the world
\ntoday at the tragic effects of religious intolerance, I think it
\nbecomes apparent how important it is for the country with the
\nworld's largest Moslem population to be a model of religious
\ntolerance. I believe that if Indonesia can resume its impressive
\neconomic development, its influence as a country of religious
\ntolerance and moderation will grow over the coming decades.\"<\/p>\n
My own admiration for Indonesia is partly based on my
\nadmiration for Indonesia's record of religious tolerance and the
\nopen-mindedness of Indonesian Islam. In fact, as I said in a
\nspeech 10 years ago to the Teachers' College of Muhammadiyah, \"I
\ndo not believe that one can understand Indonesia without
\nunderstanding Islam in Indonesia.\"<\/p>\n
I agree strongly with General Sayidiman when he says that \"A
\nwell-educated Moslem community will give rise to more Moslem
\nmoderates, which in turn will advance the cause of democracy in
\nIndonesia\", and that \"a moderate and educated Moslem community
\nwill show greater tolerance toward other religious groups and the
\noutside world in general.\"<\/p>\n
I am sorry that General Sayidiman thinks that I disagree with
\nhim on these points, because I could not agree more strongly. In
\nfact, I am personally committed to helping in that process in
\nevery way that I can.<\/p>\n
My statements to the U.S. Congress reflect not only my
\nobligations as an American citizen but also my genuine concern
\nfor Indonesia. I do not believe that Americans should make
\njudgments about individual personalities. Those should only be
\nmade by Indonesians themselves, and I cautioned the Congress
\nagainst doing so. However, it is appropriate to emphasize the
\nimportance of institutions and inclusion: institutions that are
\ncapable of managing the great challenge facing Indonesia as it
\ntransitions to a new generation of leaders, and inclusion of all
\nelements of society in facing the dangerous economic crisis that
\nconfronts the country today.<\/p>\n
That is why I urged the development of an Indonesian
\nequivalent of what might be called a \"government of national
\nunity\" and urged the government to \"broaden its base of support
\nin a way that will allow the country to face its developing
\neconomic crisis with as much unity as possible... by reaching
\nout even to critics and disaffected elements, not by narrowing
\nthe base of government with strict tests of loyalty.\"<\/p>\n
As I concluded to the House Banking Committee: \"This is a tall
\norder, but I believe that it would go a long way toward avoiding
\na calamity in a country that does not deserve one and should not
\nhave one. There is great talent in Indonesian society and still a
\nbroadly felt desire for social harmony. And President Soeharto
\nhas shown in the past that he is capable of great things.<\/p>\n
A distinguished diplomat from the Philippines told me not long
\nago that one of the great differences between Ferdinand Marcos
\nand President Soeharto is that Marcos was despised by his people.
\nPresident Soeharto could earn his people's lasting admiration if
\nhe can rise successfully to the challenge of the present danger.\"
\n(The full testimony can be found on the House Banking Committee
\nWebsite at http:\/\/www.house.gov\/banking\/13098pw.htm)<\/p>\n
PAUL WOLFOWITZ<\/p>\n
Washington, D.C.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/foreign-interference-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }