Statesmanship needed<\/p>\n
Various groups have been expressing their observations and
\nopinions on recent developments in our nation. Among the most
\nnotable is House Speaker Wahono, who gave an address on Friday at
\nthe closing of the current session.<\/p>\n
The observations and views that have been expressed have many
\npoints in common. They agree that we are going through a period
\nof great change that has produced situations that we are not
\nentirely prepared to handle.<\/p>\n
A critical condition could come about with so many changes
\noccurring at the same time. People are becoming more critical,
\nespecially as domestic developments coincide with a growing
\nstream of outside information.<\/p>\n
We are in the middle of a generational transition. Competition
\nexist between the forces in society and the government and its
\nbureaucracy. We are in a period of national leadership that is
\nundergoing its natural cycle due to the factor of age.<\/p>\n
What is the proper vision, attitude or approach to face these
\nconditions? Should we take a political approach or one of
\nstatesmanship? Should we act for ourselves on the basis of narrow
\nconsiderations or act together on a more expansive base inspired
\nby the views and principles of the Indonesian state?<\/p>\n
How will these various groups respond to this common
\nchallenge? Will they take a political approach based on tactics,
\nintrigue and power plays? Or will they apply the wisdom of
\nstatesmanship with an open attitude and willingness to listen,
\nwhich would give a greater sense of security and justice to all?<\/p>\n
-- Kompas, Jakarta<\/p>\n
;JP;HPR;
\nANPAk..r..
\nOther-Netanyahu-Gazette
\nNetanyahu Egyptian visit
\nJP\/4\/OTHER1<\/p>\n
Netanyahu's Egyptian visit<\/p>\n
Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu's statement in Cairo
\nwas undoubtedly received with relief in Arab countries. Some
\nArabs, though, are still cautious about the man's true
\nintentions.<\/p>\n
Netanyahu angered Arab leaders during the May election
\ncampaign when he rejected the formula of land-for-peace. But the
\nIsraeli premier declared in Cairo: \"We will keep our
\ncommitments\". This declaration in particular will provide a
\nfavorable atmosphere for the peace process.<\/p>\n
Observers argue that Netanyahu's declaration in Cairo appears
\nto be a step back from the tough approach he maintained during
\nhis first official visit to the United States (in June).<\/p>\n
Actually, this is not a step back. Netanyahu spoke his mind in
\nCairo after he realized that peace is a strategic option for all
\npartners, including the Israelis.<\/p>\n
He may also have realized that a tragedy will ensue if any
\npartner takes a step back. There is plenty of evidence that peace
\nis the only guarantee for anyone's security.<\/p>\n
-- The Egyptian Gazette, Cairo<\/p>\n
;JP;HPR;
\nANPAk..r..
\nOther-Bosnia-Times
\nThank Holbrooke for Bosnian deal
\nJP\/4\/OTHER2<\/p>\n
Thank Holbrooke for Bosnian deal<\/p>\n
Credit Richard Holbrooke with getting closer than anyone else
\nhas to protecting Bosnia's election from manipulation by Dr.
\nRadovan Karadzic, the Bosnian Serb leader indicted for war
\ncrimes.<\/p>\n
Holbrooke, a veteran diplomat and architect of the Dayton
\npeace agreement that ended the Bosnian war, returned from private
\nlife on a special assignment from President Clinton. To back up
\nhis persuasion, Holbrooke carried threats to ban Karadzic's party
\nfrom participating in the elections and to reimpose economic
\nsanctions on Serbia.<\/p>\n
The American diplomat's unconventional mix of bullying and
\ncharm seems to be especially effective with Slobodan Milosevic,
\nSerbia's president and the key to this agreement. At Holbrooke's
\nbehest, Milosevic extracted from Karadzic a signed agreement to
\nresign from all official positions and withdraw from public life.<\/p>\n
Karadzic has broken agreements before. But Washington promises
\nthat his latest pledge will be monitored. The Bosnian government,
\nfrequently at the receiving end of Karadzic's duplicity in the
\npast, accepts this new agreement as good enough to justify going
\nahead with the election campaign.<\/p>\n
Holbrooke's mission showed how much can be achieved by
\nmuscular diplomacy, without the need to call on military force,
\nand even with several European countries expressing doubts about
\nrenewing economic sanctions on Serbia. That lesson should be well
\ndigested by those like the chief European official in Bosnia,
\nCarl Bildt, who have been willing to settle for much less from
\nMilosevic and Karadzic.<\/p>\n
What Holbrooke was not able to achieve at this time was to
\narrange Karadzic's departure from Bosnia, let alone deliver him
\nto the war crimes tribunal in The Hague to stand trial for his
\nrole in the massacre of Muslim civilians in Srebrenica and other
\natrocities during the 44-month Bosnian war. Meanwhile, those who
\nwill be taking over Karadzic's duties as president of the Bosnian
\nSerb region and head of its powerful ruling party are considered
\nhis political puppets and share his hard-line separatist views.<\/p>\n
But if Karadzic does keep his word, the Dayton peace agreement
\ncan proceed according to its originally agreed timetable. His
\nseparatist party may capture most of the seats in Serbian areas
\nof Bosnia, but it presumably will not be allowed to get away with
\nintimidating more conciliatory candidates or driving them from
\nthe race. In December, when NATO troops are scheduled to
\nwithdraw, Bosnia will not be whole, but it will be at peace, with
\nthe possibility of reunification at a later date preserved.<\/p>\n
That is less than many Americans would want. But it
\ncorresponds precisely to the deal Holbrooke hammered out in
\nDayton last year. His diplomatic mission last week keeps that
\ndeal on track.<\/p>\n
-- The New York Times<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/statesmanship-needed-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }