Megawati challenge: Restoring security<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri should explain to the public
\nher government's stance on terrorism to erase the misperception
\nthat she is a puppet for the American government, analysts said
\non Monday.<\/p>\n
Bantarto Bandoro from the Centre for Strategic and
\nInternational Studies (CSIS) said that, explaining her commitment
\nto joining global efforts to combat terrorism would be a delicate
\nmatter for Megawati.<\/p>\n
Bantarto said Megawati's major challenge at home was dealing
\nwith the anti-American movement, warning that if she could not
\nresolve the issue well she could be accused of turning her back
\non Muslims.<\/p>\n
\"Megawati should stop any violent action against foreigners,
\nbut she should use a suitable approach in dealing with anti-U.S.
\ngroups,\" Bantarto said.<\/p>\n
\"If Megawati were able to resolve the security problem at
\nhome, she would be able to maintain good relations with the U.S.
\nas a result of her successful visit,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Bantarto said that if Megawati failed to improve security,
\nsuch as appeasing hostility toward the U.S., including threats to
\nforce American citizens out of the country, this would jeopardize
\nher commitment to combat terrorism.<\/p>\n
\"The United States may review its commitment (to Indonesia) if
\nMegawati does not restore security, particularly security for
\nAmerican people here,\" said Bantarto.<\/p>\n
Separately, Juwono Sudarsono, an international relations
\nanalyst, said the governments of Indonesia and other Islamic
\ncountries would face difficulties at home if the U.S. went ahead
\nwith its plan to attack Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
\"Countries like Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia
\nwould be in a difficult position in their efforts to calm down
\nhard-line groups if the U.S. really attacks Afghanistan,\" Juwono,
\na lecturer at the University of Indonesia, told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
He said those governments would not readily support a U.S.
\nattack on Afghanistan as they would meet strong opposition from
\nhard-line groups.<\/p>\n
\"If the governments insist on supporting the strike, they
\nwould risk being branded as U.S. puppets,\" said Juwono, who is
\nalso a former minister of defense.<\/p>\n
President Megawati, he said, has taken an independent stance
\nin connection with Indonesia's commitment to fight terrorism and
\nhas not promised any specific support to the U.S. plan.<\/p>\n
According to Juwono, the commitment to fighting terrorism had
\nbeen expressed by President Megawati during her trip to member
\nnations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in
\nAugust.<\/p>\n
In a joint statement between Megawati and President George W.
\nBush on Sept. 19, it was clearly stated that any efforts to fight
\nterrorists should consider \"the feelings\" of Islamic countries,
\nJuwono said.<\/p>\n
\"The problem is that there is not enough information for the
\npublic about the joint statement. There is a misperception among
\nthe people. They believe that the U.S. commitment to providing
\naid is a reward to Indonesia because of Megawati's support,\"
\nJuwono said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/megawati-challenge-restoring-security-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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