;JP;MDS;CD;
\nANPAk..r..<\/p>\n
A foreign affair
\nJP\/6\/EDIT25<\/p>\n
A foreign affair<\/p>\n
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono embarks today on, arguably,
\nhis most important state visit since taking office. For the next
\n10 days, he will visit two global powers -- the United States and
\nJapan -- along with fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nation
\n(ASEAN) member Vietnam.<\/p>\n
This will be the President's fifth foreign trip since taking
\noffice in October, and the most watched since his first overseas
\ntrip last year.<\/p>\n
Susilo's arrival at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
\n(APEC) summit in Chile and the ASEAN summit in Laos last year
\nreaffirmed his administration's commitment to regional processes.
\nBilateral visits to Singapore and Malaysia earlier this year were
\nimportant in cementing ties with Indonesia's closest neighbors,
\nwhile Susilo's trip to Australia, showed Jakarta's goodwill
\ntoward a neighbor with which it has had often difficult ties.<\/p>\n
Despite a few discreet fumbles, through it all the new
\nPresident showed the poise and dignity becoming of a leader of
\nthe world's third largest democracy. His aplomb standing among
\ndozens of state leaders during the Asian-African Summit in
\nJakarta last month further solidified Susilo's image in the
\ninternational spotlight.<\/p>\n
Not only has he proven to be a worthy spokesman for the
\nnation, but also an effective salesman. Now it is time for Susilo
\nto show that he is an ardent national advocate in facing a global
\nsuperpower.<\/p>\n
Without reducing the significance of previous international
\ntrips, his visits to Washington and Tokyo will undoubtedly be the
\nmost closely scrutinized back home.<\/p>\n
Like it or not, the reality is that the United States and
\nJapan are masters of the prevailing geopolitical hegemony.
\nWhether we are simple observers, subscribe to traditionalist real
\npolitik thinking or are students of globalization, no pragmatic
\nscenario -- political, economic or militarily -- can detach
\nitself from the central role these two countries play.<\/p>\n
We may not like the existing world order -- the self-
\nrighteousness of unilateralism and the marginalization of those
\ndisconnected from globalization -- nevertheless it is one that we
\ncannot avoid.<\/p>\n
Susilo's description, during a speech to the Indonesian
\nCouncil on World Affairs last week, of the challenges facing
\nIndonesian foreign policy as \"navigating a turbulent ocean\" is an
\napt analogy of the challenges he faces in his meeting with U.S.
\nPresident George W. Bush.<\/p>\n
While there is amity at the heart-to-heart level between the
\npeople of the two countries, it is also an unequivocal fact that
\nmost Indonesians are disgusted with the foreign policy of the
\nBush administration.<\/p>\n
The current wave of antagonism toward Washington cannot be
\nblamed simply on a retracted Newsweek article over the
\ndesecration of the Koran by American interrogators at Guantanamo
\nBay. An incorrect article by itself would not trigger such mass
\nhysteria. What is at the heart of the reaction to the story is
\nthat based on past U.S. actions, many believe such desecration is
\nplausible.<\/p>\n
Despite the close relationship and America's generosity to the
\nvictims of the Dec. 26 tsunami, we expect Susilo to convey
\ncategorically Indonesia's disappointment over the conduct of the
\nworld's superpower. Expressions of Indonesia's desire to
\nintensify relationships -- trade and security -- should not
\nprevent the sending of a clear signal that we stand opposite the
\nUnited States on many international political issues.<\/p>\n
Susilo should not sell out our principles, our national pride
\nor our international identity simply to be chummy with
\nWashington. Nationalism must be at the root of our
\ninternationalism.<\/p>\n
But neither should our opposition to many of Washington's
\nforeign policy stances lead to hostility.<\/p>\n
In Susilo's own words, Indonesia subscribes to an open,
\nmoderate, tolerant and outward-looking nationalism, not one that
\nis arrogant or self-absorbed. Furthermore, while being
\nindependent-minded is critical, it is no use to end up making
\nwrong turns or becoming marginalized. Hence the need for a
\nconstructive approach in the conduct of foreign policy.<\/p>\n
\"An ability to turn adversary into friend, and to turn friend
\ninto partner.\"<\/p>\n
It also our hope that while abroad, the President will be
\naccountable to international scrutiny of his commitment to
\ncontinuing democratization, protecting human rights and
\nresolving internal issues through diplomacy.<\/p>\n
With regards to Japan, Susilo's visit is testament to the
\nlong-standing relationship between Tokyo and Jakarta. As the
\noverall largest investor in Indonesia, Japan has proven its
\ndesire for a long-term presence in this country.<\/p>\n
Unlike Tokyo's closest neighbors, Indonesia is mature enough
\nto look beyond the tragedies of history in its relationship with
\nJapan. It should be forgiven, but not forgotten.<\/p>\n
By going to Tokyo and reiterating pledges for continued
\ncooperation, we hope Susilo can pave the way for further
\ncollaboration between the two countries. It is also an
\nopportunity for the President to declare his political will to
\novercome impediments that have bogged down various cooperation
\nprojects with Japan. An inability to settle these bureaucratic
\nobstacles will not bode well for coming free trade negotiations
\nbetween the two countries.<\/p>\n
Jakarta and Tokyo are central players in regional cooperation,
\nespecially with the ascendance of the East Asia Summit. A
\nstrategic partnership should be welcomed in which the two
\ncountries can foster closer links in all areas, including issues
\nof conflict prevention and non-traditional security threats.<\/p>\n
Susilo and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi have met
\nat least four times at various multilateral events over the past
\nseven months. This coming visit should help solidify the rapport
\nbetween two important regional players.<\/p>\n
This all seems a massive undertaking for just 10 days.
\nHowever, with the groundwork already laid and a strong political
\nwill, we are confident that Susilo can use this tour to set the
\nnecessary framework for positive relations with two of the
\nworld's most powerful nations.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jpmdscd-1447899208",
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