Improving RI-U.S. ties<\/p>\n
The fact that informal relations between nations play an
\nimportant role in paving the way for formal relations -- or at
\nleast helping to speed up the process of fostering closer
\nrelations -- is beyond doubt. Even in times when formal relations
\nbetween countries are disrupted, informal relations between
\nindividuals or private organizations of those countries often
\nhelp to bring relations back to normal.<\/p>\n
It is in this context that we welcome the establishment of the
\nUnited States-Indonesia Society, which was inaugurated in
\nWashington in February 1994, but introduced just last night with
\na gala reception in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Compared to the formation of similar societies between
\nIndonesia and other countries, the U.S.-Indonesia Society is a
\nlatecomer. We do not know why it has taken half a century since
\nthe emergence of Indonesia as an independent state for it to be
\nestablished. Perhaps the phenomenon has something to do with the
\nups and downs in relations between the two countries. Or,
\nperhaps, it has something to do with the new U.S. policy which
\nseems to be turning more towards the Asia-Pacific region. After
\nall many people believe Asia will be the world's most promising
\nregion in the next century.<\/p>\n
We are of the opinion that the formation of the society is
\ntimely. We agree with one particular observer who said that
\nrelations between Jakarta and Washington have spiraled downward
\nduring the last several years, mostly due to human rights issues
\nin Indonesia and the way Washington has approached those matters.<\/p>\n
That relations have been moving towards the worse despite
\nofficial statements that they are \"fundamentally sound\" is
\nindicated, among other things, by the shocking accusation by a
\nretired general here recently that \"the United States is one of
\nthe parties which does not want to see Indonesia become an
\nadvanced country and thus is plotting to topple the present
\ngovernment\".<\/p>\n
Ridiculous as that statement may be, such remarks indicate to
\na certain degree how unsatisfactory the relations actually are.
\nAlthough we doubt the allegations will get substantial support
\nhere, the fact remains that this way of thinking exists and could
\nbe nourished.<\/p>\n
To some people here the allegation that the United States is
\ntrying to topple the government brings back the memory of events
\nin the early 1960s, when the CIA allegedly backed clandestine
\nattempts to topple president Sukarno.<\/p>\n
In the past year, however, we have seen serious efforts from
\npeople on both sides to divert the relations from a collision
\ncourse. A series of conferences jointly sponsored by the Asia
\nSociety and the Jakarta-based Centre for Strategic and
\nInternational Studies have been held since last year in various
\ncities in the United States with the theme \"Indonesia, the United
\nStates and the World Today\". These conferences constitute a
\nconcrete effort to educate Americans about the \"unknown\" or
\n\"invisible\" Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The possible continuation of the International Military
\nEducation and Training program in the near future is also a good
\nindication that there are still enough cool heads on the U.S.
\nside, who are not as short-sighted as, say, certain people in the
\nU.S. Congress.<\/p>\n
That is why we believe that the United States-Indonesia
\nSociety, under the leadership of people who really know about
\nIndonesia, such as former U.S. ambassadors Paul Wolfowitz and
\nEdward Masters, as well as Prof. Emil Salim from the Indonesian
\nside, could play an important role in bridging the gap between
\nthe two societies. Hopefully, particularly in view of the absence
\nof a strong Indonesian lobby in the United States, the society
\ncan also help in promoting a better understanding of the
\nIndonesian psyche among U.S. decision makers.<\/p>\n
Of course it will require more than just goodwill and ample
\nfunds to accomplish the society's mission to foster a better
\nunderstanding of Indonesia in the United States. Without a real
\neffort from the Indonesian side to help it succeed, which
\nincludes mustering the maturity to take criticism, the mission
\nwill be hampered.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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