RI, post-Shanghai<\/p>\n
For the first time in its 12-year history, the meeting of the
\nAsia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum just concluded in
\nShanghai came out with an official statement that is not strictly
\nof an economic nature. The fact that U.S. President George W.
\nBush made a special effort to be present -- it was his first
\nforeign trip since the horrendous Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in
\nNew York and Washington -- made it abundantly clear that the
\nShanghai meeting would issue a strong statement regarding
\nterrorism.<\/p>\n
Although perhaps for the U.S. that document did not meet all
\nof its wishes -- it left out any mention of an alliance to combat
\nmoney laundering and it did not refer directly to the U.S.-led
\nwar in Afghanistan -- the Shanghai antiterrorist statement
\nnevertheless constituted a diplomatic gain for Washington and its
\ncoalition partners. Sources close to President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri like to suggest that it was due to the combined
\nefforts of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam -- countries
\nwith significant Muslim majorities -- that references to the U.S.
\nmilitary operations in Afghanistan were omitted from the Shanghai
\nstatement.<\/p>\n
Be that as it may, we would like to point out that compared
\nwith that of the two other countries of ASEAN, Indonesia's
\neconomic and financial position is the weakest. In other words, a
\nthorough evaluation should be made at this stage of whether
\nWashington's irritation toward Jakarta caused by President
\nMegawati's Isra Mi'raj (Prophet Muhammad's ascension day) speech
\non Oct. 15 has affected Indonesia's position with regard to its
\ncrucial efforts to rehabilitate its economy.<\/p>\n
Although Megawati's inability to have a bilateral meeting with
\nPresident George Bush in Shanghai should not perhaps be regarded
\nas a diplomatic snub -- she did obtain a photo opportunity -- we
\nstrongly suggest that President Megawati's future speeches
\nregarding foreign policy be thoroughly prepared.<\/p>\n
In this context, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda's
\nstatement that the U.S. should cease its military operations in
\nAfghanistan before the start of the holy month of Ramadhan around
\nNov. 17 deserves serious attention. It was no exaggeration for
\nhim to say that to continue military operations during Ramadhan
\ncould arouse explosive reactions in Muslim countries around the
\nworld. \"Ramadhan is a suitable time for Muslim adherents to
\npledge and express their solidarity,\" Minister Wirayuda stated.<\/p>\n
However, we wonder whether he can also be sure that Osama bin
\nLaden and his Al-Qaeda network will also refrain from launching
\nnew terrorist attacks during the month of Ramadhan. Given the
\nwarnings provided by western intelligence communities on the
\nbasis of intercepts of communication of Osama bin Laden's
\nassociates that more attacks could be forthcoming, and
\nconsidering the unilateral interpretation of religious doctrines
\nby bin Laden and his associates, we cannot be too sure that they
\ntoo will refrain from attacking during the month of Ramadhan.<\/p>\n
All in all, we do think that the U.S. and its coalition
\nallies, strengthened by the Shanghai declaration on terrorism,
\nare now in a most advantageous position to seek approval from the
\nUN Security Council for this war against terrorism. A cover
\nresolution that would embrace all facets of this total war
\nagainst terrorism would enable moderate Muslim countries and even
\nsome members of the European Union, which have felt slighted by
\nthe recent presummit gathering of French, British and German
\nleaders in Ghent, to participate more wholeheartedly in this
\ntotal war against terrorism. Ultimately, it will serve their own
\nrespective interests as well.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-post-shanghai-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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