Quiet diplomacy best for RI-U.S. relations<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE: A string of disparate events is creating an
\nunwelcome new source of uncertainty in Indonesia, to add to the
\nouter provinces' sectarian and secessionist troubles. While the
\nsecurity situation in Aceh, the Maluku islands, the Timor border
\nand West Papua is fraught, there is not a strong likelihood of
\nprecipitate actions by either the rebel forces or the military
\nand provincial authorities which could disturb the state of
\ncontrolled tension.<\/p>\n
Not so, the case with the Java administrative spine of the
\ncountry. President Abdurrahman Wahid is facing pressures on
\ndifferent fronts, any of which can develop swiftly into a full-
\nblown crisis, if neglected. He needs to give the matter his
\nattention.<\/p>\n
The most problematic is the sudden hostility towards Americans
\nin Jakarta, which has brought the closure of the United States
\nEmbassy as a precaution. As well, the President is under threat
\nof impeachment by parliament over unexplained transfers of Rp 35
\nbillion (S$7 million) involving Bulog, a state agency, and a
\nUS$2-million (S$3.5-million) donation from the Sultan of Brunei.
\nHis critics -- chief among them People's Consultative Assembly
\nchairman Amien Rais -- have capitalized on this and
\ndissatisfaction over inadequacies in governance to demand his
\nresignation.<\/p>\n
This prompted an unusual defense by Vice President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri, who ordered elements of her own party to stop
\nhounding Abdurrahman. She has fastidiously kept above the fray
\nwhile controversy swirled around the President over a whole host
\nof issues, so interest is piqued.<\/p>\n
Was she implying that Abdurrahman has lost more support than
\nis commonly supposed, or was she hinting she was not ready or
\nconfident enough to step into the breach, should it occur?<\/p>\n
House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung has advised
\nAbdurrahman to respond to the resignation calls by improving his
\nCabinet coordination and policy setting, and not to dare
\nparliamentarians to start impeachment proceedings, as he has
\ndone. The Speaker has said he wants \"Gus Dur's government to
\nserve out its term until 2004\", an endorsement the President
\nshould take care not to fritter away.<\/p>\n
But the matter at hand that calls for an executive decision is
\nIndonesia's relationship with the United States. The United
\nStates has sway over Indonesia's future course: It is an
\nimportant provider of aid and investments, it has overtaken Japan
\nas the main market for Indonesian non-oil exports, and it has the
\ndecisive word over International Monetary Fund disbursements.<\/p>\n
It is hard to acknowledge such dependence, but to pretend
\notherwise is unrewarding. The U.S.' lopsided role in the Israeli-
\nPalestinian confrontation, which triggered the anti-American
\nfeeling, is beyond Jakarta's control.<\/p>\n
The ill will caused by U.S. Ambassador Robert Gelbard's public
\nremarks on Indonesian policy is, decidedly, well within either
\ngovernment's ability to dissipate. Gelbard crossed the line of
\ndiplomatic propriety when he criticized publicly the pace of
\nreform and the corruption. He has also been accused of trying to
\ninfluence military and Cabinet-level appointments.<\/p>\n
This is unacceptable, if true, but the Embassy denies the
\ncharges. The two countries have, so far, acted correctly over the
\nrumpus -- Abdurrahman has resisted pressure from some quarters to
\nhave the Ambassador recalled, whereas the U.S. government on
\nTuesday said it stood by its man.<\/p>\n
With the public displays out of the way, it remains for the
\nenvoy to be told privately, but firmly (by both sides), that
\nquiet diplomacy always works better.<\/p>\n
-- The Straits Times\/Asia News Network<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/quiet-diplomacy-best-for-ri-us-relations-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }