The Indonesian nation is currently facing many problems.
\nLiving costs are getting higher as electricity, telephone and
\nwater rates, as well as transportation fares and toll fees have
\nbeen increasing.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, business competition has become tougher. The
\nnumber of people in their productive years has been increasing
\nwhile the number of fields of employment are getting limited.<\/p>\n
The people also have to face problems outside "domestic" ones.
\nFor example, the Aceh crisis. Although most Indonesians are not
\ndirectly affected by the crisis, in terms of emotional proximity
\nhowever, it has caught their attention.<\/p>\n
Another problem is about the education bill, the debate on
\nwhich has drained our energy. The people are again witnessing
\nthe incapability of members of the political elite in managing a
\nconflict, which has the potential to cause confrontations among
\ncertain elements of the society.<\/p>\n
Despite our lack of confidence in the House of
\nRepresentatives, we pin our hopes on it if we agree that we have
\nto accept democracy.<\/p>\n
Indeed, there is no easy way to gain democracy. Different
\nopinions cannot be denied. We have to face many problems in this
\nlife, but there must always be some way out.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Israel's dilatory tactics (prioritas)<\/p>\n
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's recent admission, that
\nit is impossible to keep the Palestinians in the West Bank and
\nGaza Strip under occupation forever, has done little, if
\nanything, to change the way he is perceived in the Arab world.
\nHis gory track record belies any bid on his part to cast himself
\nas a peacemaker.<\/p>\n
Sharon unwittingly fed doubts about his alleged change of
\nheart when he pledged during a historic summit in Jordan last
\nweek to remove "unauthorized" Jewish outposts in the West Bank.
\nHis pledge was a glaring attempt to circumvent a freeze
\nstipulated in the U.S.-backed "roadmap" peace plan on Jewish
\nsettlements.<\/p>\n
The world rightly believes that Jewish settlements pose a
\nmajor obstacle to peacemaking in the Middle East. Sharon is
\nexpected to manipulate the far right's anger over obligations set
\nin the "roadmap" to wriggle out of American pressure to carry out
\nhis side of the deal.<\/p>\n
Likewise, Sharon may well employ another ruse: playing for
\ntime. While projecting himself as a peacemaker, the Israeli
\npremier assumes that in few months' time, U.S. President George
\nW. Bush's attention will be distracted away from the turbulent
\npolitics of the Middle East to campaigning for a second
\npresidential term.<\/p>\n
-- Egyptian Gazette, Cairo, Egypt<\/p>\n
Britain and the euro<\/p>\n
It is a bad idea to hold a referendum if one is positively
\nsure in advance that one will lose.<\/p>\n
That alone was a wise and realistic decision, which British
\nFinance Minister Gordon Brown made public Monday when he decided
\nthat Britain's decision to take part in the euro was once again
\nsent to the sidelines.<\/p>\n
Very few doubt that the British government - especially Prime
\nMinister Tony Blair - very much would like Britain to be a part
\nof the euro. However, the opinion polls have always indicated
\nthat it will be hard to get a "yes" in a country that
\ntraditionally has been skeptical of the European Union.<\/p>\n
-- Berlingske Tidende, Copenhagen, Denmark<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-indonesian-nation-is-currently-facing-many-problems-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }