U.S. presidential election and the spat with RI<\/p>\n
By Gandhi Sukardi<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Like anywhere else, the United States
\npresidential election has been closely watched by many
\nIndonesians, but this time with a difference. Recent violence in
\nthe Middle East has split Indonesian society into two camps; pro
\nand anti-American.<\/p>\n
Probably the pro-American group is more interested in the
\noutcome of the elections. While the other group has been more
\nvocal, voicing anti-American sentiments in many cities.<\/p>\n
With last month's violent break down of Israeli-Palestinian
\npeace talks, Americans have been blamed for siding with the
\nIsraelis. The anti-American sentiments have led to numerous
\ndemonstrations, with the burning of the stars and stripes
\nbecoming the order of the day.<\/p>\n
Members of the House Commission in charge of foreign affairs
\nhave singled out the U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, Robert
\nGelbard, for being \"too arrogant\" in his dealings with Indonesian
\naffairs.<\/p>\n
They have written to President Abdurrahman Wahid requesting
\nhim to declare the Ambassador person-non-grata. The President
\ndenied the request.<\/p>\n
In Solo, Central Java, the search by uniformed gangs for
\nAmerican tourists staying in hotels there has virtually stopped
\nall Americans from visiting the town.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, that type of anti-American behavior has not
\nspread to other cities. People with more common sense disapprove
\nof such extreme activities. Most of the media, although
\nsympathizing with the Palestinian cause, have called for
\nrestraint.<\/p>\n
They believe that U.S.-Indonesia relations should be preserved
\nat all costs.<\/p>\n
Responding to perceived threats on the U.S. Embassy in
\nJakarta, the target of frequent protests, the compound has been
\nofficially declared closed for visa and consular services.<\/p>\n
This seems to have irritated foreign minister Alwi Shihab, who
\nhas requested Ambassador Gelbard to keep it open for business.
\nThere are no signs that this will happen soon.<\/p>\n
It is anybody's guess what will happen next -- and it this
\nsituation that has apparently drawn more interest here than the
\nbattle for the seat in the Oval Office.<\/p>\n
Some Muslims consider everything associated with the state of
\nIsrael and the Israelis as their number one enemy. And they
\nsuspect that the United States government is behind every move
\nand every policy carried out by the Jewish state against the
\npeople of Palestine.<\/p>\n
The President of Indonesia does not see the struggle of the
\nPalestinians against Israel as a religiously motivated movement
\nbut one more driven by Palestinian nationalism, given that
\nChristians living in Israel are also joining the uprising.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman's membership in an international organization
\nfounded by an Israeli leader has been condemned by many Muslims
\nhere but he has refused to leave the group, even suggesting that
\nIndonesia should open formal ties with Israel.<\/p>\n
The United Nations' Jakarta office has frequently been mobbed
\nby protesters accusing the Security Council of double standards,
\nclaiming it failed to stop Israel's atrocities against the
\nPalestinians, yet it issued a resolution in Indonesia's disfavor
\nfollowing the murder of three UN workers (in West Timor).<\/p>\n
There have been voices urging Indonesia to end its membership
\nin the UN, claiming that the world needs Indonesia more than we
\nneed the world, given our strategic location and natural
\nresources. Of course, there are many more sane Indonesians who
\nbelieve that the truth is the other way around.<\/p>\n
Indonesia needs the cooperation and assistance, including the
\ninvestment, of the international community if it is ever to be
\nable to repay its huge debts.<\/p>\n
It is simply inconceivable that some leaders have not made it
\nclear to their followers that Indonesia needs the International
\nMonetary Fund, the World Bank and the U.S. aid body, USAID.<\/p>\n
The current situation has been the most dreadful development
\nin Indonesia's international relations involving the United
\nNations and the United States.<\/p>\n
The irony becomes more evident if one considers that the
\nAmerican revolution was among the sources of inspirations for the
\nfounding fathers of this republic.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's democratic ideals have been inspired by the
\nAmerican experience of freedom of speech, press freedom and human
\nrights, not to mention free enterprise. The French revolution and
\nlater the Russian revolution, particularly regarding the notion
\nthat workers have the same rights as wealthy citizens, have been
\nother sources of inspiration.<\/p>\n
Amid current local developments, the rhetoric of the U.S.
\npresidential candidates, and issues like whether Al Gore will
\ncontinue the U.S. role as the \"sheriff of the world\", or whether
\nGeorge W. Bush can really improve social welfare, are falling on
\ndeaf ears here.<\/p>\n
The fact is that people needing a visa to the U.S. are still
\nfacing a closed and guarded compound and parents having children
\nstudying in the U.S. are getting more nervous each day the
\nunofficial diplomatic spat lasts.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile it has been disclosed that the U.S. ambassador has
\nreturned home for consultations and as things are at the moment,
\nit would not be surprising if Gelbard did not return.<\/p>\n
More Americans outside Jakarta may also have returned,
\nfollowing the advice of their government to avoid Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Under such circumstances, can we then expect that the common
\nAmerican can be interested in Indonesia and its problems?<\/p>\n
The irony is that while Americans are nowadays less than
\nwelcome here, U.S. dollars remain the most wanted commodity and
\nthe most needed currency, to help Indonesia overcome its economic
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
The writer is a former journalist at the state run Antara news
\nagency.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-presidential-election-and-the-spat-with-ri-1447893297",
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