Foreign policy on East Timor<\/p>\n
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington, D.C.,
\nwould like to convey its appreciation to those who have shown a
\nkeen interest and empathy toward the struggle of Indonesia's
\ndiplomats abroad, detailed in the article Clinton, RI opposed on
\nEast Timor (Jan. 23). The article focused on Indonesia's foreign
\npolicy and diplomacy, particularly in reference to the bilateral
\nrelationship between Indonesia and the United States.<\/p>\n
Dewi Fortuna Anwar's observation that the United States may
\nprove to be another obstacle blocking Indonesia's plan to take
\nthe issue of East Timor off the United Nation's agenda is very
\ninteresting. An explanation may lie in the pressure that
\nPresident Clinton will undoubtedly face in his second term
\nregarding the issue of campaign contributions by an Indonesian
\nbusinessman to the National Democratic Committee.<\/p>\n
The issue of the contributions has been exploited by non-
\ngovernmental organizations active in human rights and by a
\ncertain segment of the liberal U.S. media to pressure the Clinton
\nadministration to strengthen its position towards Indonesia on
\nthe issue of human rights in general and East Timor in
\nparticular. This case has also been used by those seeking to
\nreform the campaign financing laws and further politicized by
\nthose who would seek to discredit the Clinton Administration.<\/p>\n
We hope and trust that the present politicized atmosphere will
\nnot alter current cordial relations between Indonesia and the
\nUnited States and we look forward to continued good relations
\nbetween the two countries. Our strong bilateral relationship with
\nthe United States should not be defined by narrow interests, but
\nrather, must be based on mutual interests, such as the
\nmaintenance of stability in South East Asia and the continued
\nexpansion of economic and trade relations. Indonesia has been
\nrecognized as one of the ten Big Emerging Markets (BEM) for the
\nU.S. Our hope is that the U.S. will continue down the path of
\ncooperation, not confrontation as we continue to encounter some
\nof our inevitable differences.<\/p>\n
BUDIMAN DARMOSUTANTO<\/p>\n
Deputy Chief of Mission<\/p>\n
Indonesian Embassy<\/p>\n
Washington, D.C.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/foreign-policy-on-east-timor-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }