JP\/6\/ED<\/p>\n
Another Wolfowitz mission<\/p>\n
In announcing his nomination of the incumbent Deputy Defense
\nSecretary Paul Wolfowitz as the next World Bank president, U.S.
\nPresident George W. Bush described his hawkish inner-circle
\nperson as "a compassionate and decent man," and emphasized
\nWolfowitz's experience as U.S. ambassador to Indonesia from 1986
\nto 1989.<\/p>\n
Wolfowitz -- one of the architects of the Iraq invasion and
\nthe U.S. "war on terrorism" -- will become the bank's most
\ncontroversial president since the appointment of cantankerous
\nformer defense secretary Robert S. McNamara to the post in 1967.<\/p>\n
Amid strong opposition from other countries and global
\nactivists to Wolfowitz's promotion, many people may wonder, why
\ndid Bush specifically mentioned his experience in Indonesia when
\nattempting to convince the international community to accept his
\nclose aide as president of the global bank?<\/p>\n
There are several factors at work here, including the fact
\nthat Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim nation, as well as
\nbeing the world's fourth most populous country. Bush has in the
\npast praised Indonesia as being a model for predominantly Muslim
\nnations by demonstrating that an advanced democracy does not need
\nto be incompatible with Islam.<\/p>\n
Another factor is that Indonesia is among the largest borrower
\nfrom this development bank. The World Bank-led Consultative Group
\non Indonesia (CGI) is the largest money lender group for
\nIndonesia and has a strong influence on the nation.<\/p>\n
The 61-year old Wolfowitz, who received master's and doctorate
\ndegrees in political science and economics from Chicago
\nUniversity, is also expected to -- in the words of a The
\nWashington Post's editorial -- "promote some democratic virtues
\n-- openness, accountability and other anti-corruption measures"
\n-- that underpin economic development.<\/p>\n
Bush seemingly wants his confidante to boost the bank's
\npoverty-alleviation programs because poverty and injustice are
\nwidely regarded as being the roots of terrorism. As the biggest
\nshareholder in the bank, the U.S. administration can pursue its
\nglobal strategy through economic means.<\/p>\n
If the strategy works in Indonesia, then the country can be
\nheld up yet again as a model for alleviating terrorism.<\/p>\n
A few weeks before his summit with President Soeharto in Bali
\nin 1986, President Ronald Reagan presented a big oleh-oleh (gift)
\nto his host by announcing the appointment of senior diplomat
\nWolfowitz as ambassador to Indonesia. In his own words, Wolfowitz
\nhas said that he served as an ambassador in Indonesia "where
\neconomic development was the most important issue on the agenda."<\/p>\n
As an envoy here, he was the first foreign official to bluntly
\ntell Soeharto to allow more political openness at a time when the
\npresident was being very tough in opposing democratization.
\nWolfowitz made the appeal in his farewell speech in 1989,
\nprovoking controversy and even anger among some of Soeharto's
\ninner-circle.<\/p>\n
The American diplomat is still remembered here as probably the
\nmost successful and popular American envoy ever to be appointed
\nto Jakarta. And despite his hawkish stance as Bush's top aide,
\nmany Indonesians still regard him as a friend, although they may
\nexpress some disappointment with his hard-line attitudes.<\/p>\n
As the World Bank's biggest shareholder, it is highly unlikely
\nthat other global shareholders would veto the U.S. candidate.<\/p>\n
As a friend of Indonesia, it is natural to expect that
\nWolfowitz will assist the country in becoming more prosperous and
\nwith better governance. Indonesia will continue to closely work
\nwith the World Bank and its development programs. Therefore, by
\nhaving a friend in this institution Indonesia can expect that he
\nwill be able to assist us in combating our biggest enemies:
\npoverty and corruption. Of course, the bank itself must first
\nrespond to worldwide criticism over its performance.<\/p>\n
As he will be taking up the position in June, we can only hope
\nthat Wolfowitz will start adjusting himself to a totally new
\nenvironment.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp6ed-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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