The post-Iraq war and Indonesia's response<\/p>\n
Jusuf Wanandi, Cofounder, Member, Board of Trustees, Centre for
\nStrategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta<\/p>\n
\"What if the U.S. has to invade Iraq without the United
\nNations?\" asked an American friend in early January. \"You better
\nmake it quick, with minimum casualties and with the involvement
\nof many allies, then stay on to reconstruct the nation, and above
\nall make credible moves on the Israel-Palestine conflict,\" was my
\nanswer.<\/p>\n
The reactions of Indonesians to the war have been measured,
\npeaceful and balanced. They are against the war based on
\nprinciples, international rules and humanitarian concerns, not
\nbecause of Muslim solidarity.<\/p>\n
This stance was possible because moderate Muslim leaders took
\nthe initiative to oppose the war, and this time the government
\nwas proactive. It was also possible because Saddam Hussein was
\nnever considered a Muslim leader.<\/p>\n
After the fall of Baghdad, the people had the same reactions:
\nThey took Saddam's demise in stride, especially in the first week
\nafter Baghdad fell when they saw how much Saddam was hated by his
\nown people.<\/p>\n
However, the U.S. must give more serious attention to peace
\nand public order after so much looting and violence has taken
\nplace. Basic human needs such as water, electricity, food,
\nmedicine and medical care have to be provided immediately.<\/p>\n
Of course, a people that have been under so much stress and
\npressure for so long will react somewhat violently to their
\nrelease. But it appears that the U.S. was not prepared for this
\nreaction.<\/p>\n
Providing basic needs is now the most important task for the
\nU.S., especially because this is not only the concern of the
\nIraqi people but also of the Arab mainstream throughout the
\nMiddle East, who through their own media have seen and read many
\nnegative things about the situation in Iraq.<\/p>\n
Indonesians, including Muslims, are also influenced by the
\nvignettes shown on television about the miseries of the Iraqi
\npeople due to war and a lack of immediate action in restoring
\npublic order and providing basic human needs.<\/p>\n
Political development and physical reconstruction should be
\nnext on the agenda after the emergency situation is under
\ncontrol. Here participation by the Iraqis from the very beginning
\nis important, although a transition period under U.S. control can
\nbe expected. But this period should be as short as possible.<\/p>\n
The role of the United Nations here will be very important,
\nbecause only the UN can give legitimacy to U.S. efforts. This is
\nespecially true since, in international eyes, the war was not
\nadequately legitimate. The UN also has the expertise and
\nexperience, as Afghanistan has shown.<\/p>\n
The European Union's role is equally important (including
\nthrough the North Atlantic Treaty Organization), because
\npeacekeeping and reconstruction require a lot of support in terms
\nof human and financial resources.<\/p>\n
Their involvement could be a first step toward reconciliation
\nwith many in Europe. This reconciliation is important for the
\nU.S. leadership in the long term. The EU is also important in the
\nfight against global terrorism, especially since the fight will
\nbe long and all-encompassing.<\/p>\n
Muslim nations in particular have to be considered by the U.S.
\nin this struggle against terrorism. It has to win the hearts and
\nsouls of Muslims worldwide, to convince them to adhere to Islamic
\nteachings that are peaceful and to enable them to modernize
\ntoward democracy and economic progress.<\/p>\n
That is why steps must be taken immediately to resolve the
\nIsrael-Palestine conflict, since this is politically the most
\nimportant issue for Muslims worldwide.<\/p>\n
This conflict provides Muslims worldwide an image of the
\ninjustice, despair and alienation they all feel due to U.S. and
\nWestern policies.<\/p>\n
Last but not least is the debate about what to do next after
\nIraq. The exclamations coming from the neoconservatives inside
\nand outside of the U.S. administration that Syria, Iran and even
\nNorth Korea are going to be the next targets of a U.S. military
\nstrike or invasion because they are \"rogue states\" are very
\ndisturbing.<\/p>\n
This places the U.S. as a new imperial power, which is not
\nhelpful in the fight against terrorism or in keeping global and
\nregional order, which the U.S., as the world's only superpower,
\nhas a vital interest in maintaining.<\/p>\n
Of course the world has to understand and appreciate how
\ndeeply the U.S. was wounded and how very vulnerable she felt
\nafter Sept. 11, 2001. But the struggle against global terrorism
\ncan only be won if the U.S. is supported by friends and allies
\neverywhere.<\/p>",
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