RI-U.S. relationship<\/p>\n
The articles as submitted by Ali Alatas in The Jakarta
\nPost (March 31 and April 1) with all due respect, told us very
\nlittle that is not already known. It could well be that from a
\ndiplomatic point of view, it is better to express an opinion that
\nthe relationship between the two countries (USA and Indonesia)
\nare sound and solid, but perhaps in reality they are far from
\nthat.<\/p>\n
The thinking between the two nations on many issues would
\nindeed be poles apart, despite the fact that the politicians
\nwould have us believe something quite different. I often wonder
\nwhy people in high positions must talk on behalf of their nation,
\nespecially in a country like Indonesia that is extremely diverse
\nin its thinking. We always seem to forget that opinions are often
\ndependent upon circumstances, thus diplomatically, a politician
\nmay well state one thing, and yet hand on heart he would dearly
\nlove to say and do the very opposite.<\/p>\n
Ali Alatas says that \"Indonesia\" cannot abandon due process of
\nlaw and the essential guarantees of democracy to which the nation
\nhas committed itself, but in reality, for that is all that really
\nmatters, could he say that Indonesia internally upholds the
\nprinciples of equality before the law and justice to all of its
\ncitizens -- I think not.<\/p>\n
One must be extremely careful in criticizing the United States
\nof America (for all its many known failings), or any other
\ncountry for that matter, if the backyard itself is littered with
\ninjustices and legal fiascoes. There is little doubt that
\nIndonesia could have done a lot more in numerous areas.<\/p>\n
The people of Indonesia are saying very clearly that little
\nhas been done over the past five years -- now can they all be
\nwrong? The other thing of course would be the fact that the vast
\nmajority of people know very little about what is going on in
\nthis world -- and of course the politicians would be the very
\nlast people to relate this information truthfully.<\/p>\n
Relationships are basically about achieving a desired
\nobjective, and history has showed us time and again that
\ngovernments are only interested in that, with the body bags just
\nan unfortunate necessity. What it all boils down to is that truth
\ncannot be said, for the truth is too horrendous to reveal.<\/p>\n
DAVID WALLIS
\nMedan, North Sumatra<\/p>",
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