JP\/6\/E00<\/p>\n
Laborers all over the world commemorated Labor Day, also
\ncalled May Day, on Thursday, May 1. In Indonesia, the observance
\nof the May Day was filled with street demonstrations in several
\nbig cities.<\/p>\n
For Indonesian workers, Labor Day is still far from a grateful
\nceremony.<\/p>\n
Since the reform movement in 1998 Indonesia has had three
\npresidents, B.J. Habibie, Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri, who have had their own Cabinets and ministers with
\ntheir own policies.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the fate of laborers has remained the same
\ndespite the power of the reform movement, in which the workers
\ngot involved.<\/p>\n
Worker-related problems are in fact very simple: Prosperity
\nand welfare. But the simple thing is not always easy to deal
\nwith, because the welfare of workers very much depends on the
\nnational economy and the health of the companies they work for.<\/p>\n
Since the Asian economic crisis hit five years ago, the
\nIndonesian economy has not yet recovered. Many private companies
\nhave gone bankrupt or declined their production activities. The
\nresult is that many workers have been dismissed or laid off. This
\ncontributes to the increase in national unemployment from 38
\nmillion at the beginning of the economic crisis to the current
\nfigure of over 40 million.<\/p>\n
Strangely, several neighboring countries have emerged from
\ntheir economic downfall. Thailand and South Korea could be cited
\nas the countries which revived their economies the soonest after
\nthe crisis.<\/p>\n
In this context, corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) have
\nbecome the main constraint to our economic recovery. KKN has
\napparently caused the high-cost economy. If the high-cost economy
\ncould be dealt with, the companies' operational cost would be
\nsmaller. The companies' financial health will bring welfare and
\nprosperity to the workers.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Unite, Iraqi people!<\/p>\n
Unite, all Iraqi people! Without strong union you will live a
\nlife similar to what you had under Saddam Hussein's regime.<\/p>\n
It's time for you to unite and join hands so as to increase
\nyour bargaining power. Be confident that with adequate strength
\nany parties would find it difficult to oppress you.<\/p>\n
For Islamic countries, including Indonesia, union is a
\nluxurious and expensive thing. It is probably because they have
\nalready lived with the experience of being divided.<\/p>\n
It is clear that the invaders don't want an Islamic government
\nin Iraq, and somebody like Jay Garner is prepared to become the
\nruler of (a new) Iraq. In the long run, Iraq could become a pilot
\nproject to rock the Middle East with U.S.-style democracy.<\/p>\n
Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction has yet to
\nbe proved. However, the fact is not important for U.S. President
\nGeorge W. Bush. Iraq's abundant wealth is the intended target for
\nexploitation. This is the mission of Jay Garner.<\/p>\n
Things now depend on the Iraqi people. It is unnecessary to
\nseek and attack the Kurds, as Saddam's regime did, for they have
\nbeen oppressed since the end of World War I. The West -- victor
\nin the war -- had divided up the Kurds' land in such a way that
\nthey have become nomads.<\/p>\n
So, please accept the Kurds as brother Muslims. Subsequently,
\nthe Sunnis and Shias should also unite against the U.S.<\/p>\n
Muslims will achieve success in their fight if they believe
\nthat Allah will protect them.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Iraq's future<\/p>\n
Of course there will be problems and they will be big.<\/p>\n
No one dares to believe that it will be easy to turn Iraq from
\n35 years of brutal dictatorship and several wars and put it on
\nthe road to a blooming and well-functioning democracy.<\/p>\n
It is important to keep in mind that past and that very few of
\nthe many expected nightmares during the war may actually come to
\npass in the many months and years of work that lie ahead for the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
-- Berlingske Tidende, Copenhagen, Denmark<\/p>\n
SARS prevention<\/p>\n
The World Health Organization and many countries in the world
\nare making a major effort to prevent the spread of SARS as a
\ncondition for controlling the epidemic, while at the same time
\ntrying to develop vaccines and medicines, a process that will
\ntake years. WHO announced on Monday that there are signs the
\nspread of the disease has been halted in Toronto, Hong Kong and
\nSingapore, three of four parts of the world where there is the
\ndanger of contracting SARS. Hong Kong and Singapore have taken
\ndrastic measures to control the epidemic. Thousands of people who
\ncame into contact with SARS patients were put in quarantine,
\npatients were hospitalized in isolation and hospitals devoted
\ntheir infrastructure to treating SARS patients.<\/p>\n
The Israeli health system's reaction to the threat of severe
\nacute respiratory syndrome has been slow and gradual, as
\nindicated by WHO's instructions.<\/p>\n
With a reasonable effort, the epidemic's spread to Israel can
\nbe prevented and it is critical to do so. Beyond the suffering
\nand damage experienced by patients and their families, and the
\npublic anxiety if the disease spreads to here, the economic
\nburden that has been caused to the affected countries is
\ncertainly not needed by the Israeli economy. Israel must aspire
\nto be SARS-free.<\/p>\n
-- Ha'aretz, Tel Aviv<\/p>\n
North Korea's nuclear programs<\/p>\n
The problem is how to stop North Korea from continuing to
\ndevelop its nuclear capabilities beyond simply claiming
\npossession of a few nukes as a negotiating tactic. The United
\nStates needs to loosen its stance of refusing to sit down at the
\nnegotiating table unless North Korea abandons all nuclear
\ndevelopment. Pushing the country into a corner will have adverse
\neffects. The United States needs to exhibit flexibility to
\nestablish an environment that would smooth the way toward North
\nKorea accepting a compromise.<\/p>\n
\"If North Korea really already possesses nuclear weapons, we
\ncannot let it produce more, and any existing ones must be
\ndestroyed. Needless to say, we have to make sure it will never
\nuse weapons of mass destruction. Any attempt at a military
\nsolution would devastate South Korea and also have an enormous
\nimpact on Japan. It is not an option. The only realistic course
\nis to maintain the present defensive military deterrent and
\nextract a compromise from North Korea through negotiations.<\/p>\n
\"North Korea's stance will fuel discussions at the United
\nNations about possible sanctions. Nuclear development leads to
\nnational self-destruction rather than revitalization.<\/p>\n
\"Initially it was a shock to hear North Korea has nuclear
\nweapons. However, we should not let that cloud our judgment.
\nJapan possesses the diplomatic carrot of economic aid. Japan
\nshould continue to attempt to convince North Korea that the only
\nroute toward normalization of relations is through abandoning
\nnuclear programs.<\/p>\n
-- Asahi Shimbun, Tokyo<\/p>\n
North Korea's nuclear<\/p>\n
When two partners engage in argument with the potential to
\nbring mutual destruction, it helps if one keeps his sanity. In
\nthe battle that erupted Wednesday with a threat from North Korea
\nto use nuclear weapons, the partner who must remain sane is the
\nUnited States. We can't be sure about the North Koreans. ...<\/p>\n
The U.S. is in a difficult position when bargaining with the
\nNorth because submitting to nuclear blackmail sends the wrong
\nmessage worldwide. But neither does it want to see nuclear
\nweapons get into more irresponsible hands than those that already
\nhold them. Furthermore, a nuclear attack of any kind would be
\ndevastating, not just to its victims but to hopes that the world
\nwill have the sense not to destroy itself.<\/p>\n
That's why the United States has to be careful to stay sane
\nand to avoid turning to bluster and retaliation when diplomacy
\nstill may lead to resolution. ...<\/p>\n
Fortunately, there was another party present for cocktails and
\nchitchat on Wednesday: China, the hosts. While China is the
\nNorth's best friend (a term used loosely), its interests are much
\nmore closely aligned to our own. And the Chinese message has been
\nthe same as ours: the Korean peninsula must be nuclear-free.<\/p>\n
-- Journal Star, Peoria, Illinois<\/p>\n
The latest diplomatic move by France<\/p>\n
The latest diplomatic move by France, presented as a supposed
\nolive branch to the United States, in reality is a mere fig leaf
\nfor more cynicism of the kind for which France has become
\ninfamous.<\/p>\n
Now that the tyrant Saddam Hussein, whom the French government
\nand business interests effectively propped up for years, has been
\nousted from power, French President Jacques Chirac has finally
\nagreed in part with a U.S. position. But only in part.<\/p>\n
... On Tuesday, Mr. Chirac's ambassador to the United Nations,
\nJean Marc de la Sabliere called for relieving Iraq of the
\nsanctions. But -- with the French, there's always a \"but\" -- the
\nproposal by Mr. de la Sabliere allow not an actual end to
\nsanctions, but merely the \"suspension\" of them. In conjunction
\nwith the \"suspension,\" the French say, the United Nations should
\ncontrol all Iraqi oil revenues. And the permanent elimination of
\nsanctions would be contingent on approval by the same gaggle of
\nU.N. weapons inspectors who failed so spectacularly for a dozen
\nyears. ...<\/p>\n
The transparent French aim, of course, is to keep control of
\nthe oil deals it made with Mr. Hussein, at the expense of the
\nIraqi people.<\/p>\n
-- Mobile Register, Mobile, Alabama<\/p>\n
The Republican Party's
\nforeign policy split<\/p>\n
Newt Gingrich's controversial speech last week, a scathing
\nattack on Secretary of State Colin Powell and his subordinates,
\nwas more than just an example of the former House speaker using
\nhis mouth as a flame-thrower, or a noisy attempt by a Washington
\nhas-been to push his way back into the limelight. It also served
\nto illuminate a basic split between Republicans on how to use
\nAmerica's military might in the world arena.<\/p>\n
... The real difference is between conservatives who think
\nthat aggressively employing military power is the most reliable
\nway to win friends and influence nations and those who think it's
\na formula for overextension and rampant anti-Americanism.<\/p>\n
... Both sides have influence with the president, who will
\nhave to decide in each particular circumstance whether to rely on
\nforce or diplomacy or some mix of each. In Iraq, it was the
\nformer, and in North Korea, it has been the latter. Neither
\nfaction is likely to get its way every time. ...<\/p>\n
-- Chicago Tribune, Chicago<\/p>\n
, on the
\nlooting of Iraqi artifacts:<\/p>\n
Military personnel and journalists were subjected to personal
\ndanger during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and many paid with their
\nlives. It is disturbing to learn that others were caught trying
\nto bring Iraqi art objects back to the United States.<\/p>\n
To be sure, collection of \"souvenirs\" has long been a part of
\nthe chaos of war and its aftermath. Many World War II veterans
\nhave Japanese or Nazi flags and other items tucked away in their
\nattics.<\/p>\n
However, it appears that the Iraqi artworks, including
\npaintings and historical objects, were pilfered specifically in
\nhopes of selling them for a profit.<\/p>\n
Bringing stability to this embattled country will not be easy,
\nand Iraqis who have engaged in looting are not helping the
\nprocess - but neither are those liberators who purloin that which
\nis not theirs to take.<\/p>\n
-- The Times-Reporter, Dover-New Philadelphia, Ohio<\/p>\n
The Greenville News, Greenville, South Carolina, on war strategy:<\/p>\n
... This war in Iraq will lack the finality of some major U.S.
\nvictories, in large part because the end of the war has become
\nblurred with the enormous task of rebuilding a nation where the
\nchallenges of restoring power and supplying food pale compared to
\nthose of nurturing a sense of democracy.<\/p>\n
... But as more thoughtful review of this war begins, it
\nbecomes undeniably clear that this was a stunning victory for the
\nU.S. military.<\/p>\n
... Among the factors, which also include exceptionally well-
\ntrained and dedicated American soldiers, are these:<\/p>\n
The four branches of the armed services worked together with
\nmore effectiveness than ever demonstrated. ...<\/p>\n
Air power was overwhelming and precise. ...<\/p>\n
Unparalleled intelligence helped the military select potential
\ntargets and avoid civilian populations.<\/p>\n
Special forces played an enormous role in this war (as in
\nAfghanistan, too). ...<\/p>\n
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has broken a good bit of
\nchina in the Pentagon, and the success of this war gives him the
\ncredibility to break even more in helping reshape the military
\nand equip it for future threats that will involve the use of
\nforce.<\/p>\n
GetAP 1.00 -- MAY 2, 2003 00:10:35
\n;AP;
\nANPA ..r..
\nNA-GEN--Editorial Roundup
\nBy The Associated Press=
\nJP\/<\/p>\n
By The Associated Press=<\/p>\n
Here are excerpts from editorials in newspapers in the United<\/p>\n
[
\nThe Guardian, London, on the U.S. military presence in Iraq:<\/p>\n
Convincing Iraqis that U.S. soldiers are there to help them
\nwill be all the more difficult after the shocking events in
\nFalluja, west of Baghdad. Preventing already widespread popular
\nopposition to the American military presence turning into
\nconcerted armed resistance will also be increasingly problematic
\nunless the U.S. army can explain why it was justified in opening
\nfire on a crowd comprising a large number of children and
\nteenagers, killing at least 13 and wounding 75. ...<\/p>\n
Even though the war is over, U.S. soldiers continue to kill
\nIraqi civilians almost every day, for a variety of reasons. But
\nFalluja's tragedy is of a different order of magnitude. To
\nprevent more such disastrous incidents and stop the security
\nsituation deteriorating further, an inquiry must be urgently
\nheld, preferably with U.N. oversight and with reference to the
\nGeneva conventions governing the conduct of occupying forces. For
\nreasons of law, morality and self-interest, our relentlessly
\nself-righteous government has a clear obligation to demand that
\nits ally comply. Meanwhile, 82nd Airborne units should be
\nwithdrawn from Falluja. If necessary, they could be replaced by
\nbetter-disciplined British troops.
\n[
\nBusiness Day, Johannesburg, South Africa, on Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's political future:<\/p>\n
The political life of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has often
\nresembled that of the proverbial cat - with all its famed nine
\nlives. But even she ... will know that she has plumbed to new
\ndepths of infamy with her recent troubles.<\/p>\n
Madikizela-Mandela was convicted and sentenced last Friday to
\nfive years in prison for fraud and theft after she ... submitted
\nfraudulent loan applications to Saambou Bank on behalf of
\nsupposed African National Congress Women's League employees. She
\nis out on bail pending the outcome of her appeal against both her
\nconviction and sentence. But is the \"mother of the nation\"
\nfinally out for the count?<\/p>\n
... Even assuming that her appeal succeeds and she escapes
\nserving jail time, she would still face financial ruin as she has
\nnow quit her 300,000 rand a year (US$ 42,000) parliamentary seat
\nand all her other positions in the ANC.<\/p>\n
Notwithstanding her contribution to SA's liberation ... to
\nafford her a presidential pardon ... as some people are
\nsuggesting, would negate South Africa's claims to the moral high
\nground on a continent battling to overcome its image of being
\nfatally riddled with corruption and poor governance.
\n[
\nLa Stampa, Turin, Italy, on the SARS virus:<\/p>\n
Italy must not underestimate the importance of containing and
\npreventing the spread of SARS. Airports must be rigorously
\nchecked and people should be encouraged to take a number of
\nprecautionary measures. But doesn't the image of our Health
\nMinister on the scene at Milan's Malpensa airport give rise to
\nthe siege syndrome, spreading a sense of threat and panic?<\/p>\n
One can understand the careful calculations of authorities to
\nprevent the eventual accusations of complacency. Italy, unlike
\nChina, isn't an authoritarian country that hides impending
\ndangers from its people. Quite the contrary, the first epidemic
\nwe face is social above all: terror in general, the fear of
\nanything \"Chinese,\" the nervousness of the siege.<\/p>\n
It is essential to adopt intelligent and persuasive measures
\nthat take into account the actual statistics of the epidemic,
\nwhich has seen only a few cases in this country. The same
\neffective precautions as those taken by European governments
\nagainst \"mad cow disease\" are a good example Past experience has
\nshown that reasonable precautionary measures, which encourage a
\nsense of perspective, are essential in confronting the worst of
\nepidemics.
\n[ MORE[<\/p>\n
GetAP 1.00 -- MAY 2, 2003 00:10:27<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp6e00-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }