The President's priorities<\/p>\n
With respect to new capital investments from the U.S., Japan
\nand Vietnam, no dramatic improvement was to be expected. Neither
\nwas there any urgency for improving economic ties in the sort
\nterm to justify President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's trip if it
\nwas merely to meet with President George W. Bush and not an
\ninvitation to address the U.S. Congress, for instance.<\/p>\n
In matters of foreign policy, it seems that by now every
\ngovernment in the world is more than fully aware of Indonesia's
\nactive role in bridging differences between East and West, during
\nthe cold war, or cooperating in South to South issues by
\nexpressing Indonesia's solidarity toward the aspirations of the
\ndeveloping so-called Third World.<\/p>\n
Since the Africa-Asia Conference in Bandung in 1955 and
\nthe formation of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
\nlater, the principles of Indonesia's foreign policy have been
\nlaid down and popularized by the previous administrations and
\nformer presidents.<\/p>\n
Many, therefore, believe that Susilo's priorities should have
\nbeen at the home front to combat invisible terrorists. This was
\nwhere he needed to leave his mark and demonstrate his leadership.<\/p>\n
Why is it so difficult to see that the absence of Susilo in
\nthe fight against corruption at the upper level and against the
\nabuse of power will automatically lead to the stagnation of these
\nendeavors. It is no exaggeration to state that the hunt for and
\narrest of suspected terrorists must be led by the President
\nhimself for they are the real enemies of the national and social
\ndefense.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI
\nJakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-presidents-priorities-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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