U.S. to balance foreign policy objectives<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Policy makers in Washington increasingly seem willing
\nto strike a balance between their push for human rights, democracy and
\nenvironmental protection and their often conflicting economic goals.<\/p>\n
The Clinton administration is now searching for a good formula to
\ncontinue its human rights campaign without affecting U.S. economic and
\ntrade ties with other countries, Indonesian Ambassador to the United
\nStates Arifin M. Siregar said here on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\"We will see what President Bill Clinton will decide in June with
\nregard to China's Most Favored Nation (MFN) trading status,\" Arifin told
\na business luncheon hosted by the U.S. Committee of the Indonesian
\nChamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).<\/p>\n
The U.S. government has threatened to revoke China's MFN status
\nunless that country improves the protection of human rights. The U.S
\nwill make its decision in June.<\/p>\n
The American government, while taking a fairly tough outward stance,
\nis privately concerned about the big losses U.S. businessmen might
\nsuffer if China's MFN status is not extended. Bilateral trade now
\nexceeds US$40 billion a year and China has been buying more from the
\nU.S. as its economy continues to grow robustly.<\/p>\n
The change in the emphasis of American foreign policy objectives can
\nalso be seen in a national export strategy that puts trade policy at the
\nleading edge of its foreign policy.<\/p>\n
The U.S. administration also has threatened to revoke its Generalized
\nSystem of Preferences to Indonesia unless improvements are made in the
\nprotection of workers rights. The review of the trade incentive was
\npostponed until August after an original February deadline was postponed
\nafter Indonesia made some labor law changes.<\/p>\n
\"I am highly convinced that the U.S. government will extend the GSP
\ntrading privilege in August,\" Arifin said.<\/p>\n
Even though Indonesian exports under the scheme amount to about $640
\nmillion, 16 percent of total exports to the U.S., a stoppage of the
\nfacility would have not only economic but also political impacts, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"The impacts will be enormous,\" he said in referring to the potential
\ndamage of a U.S. decision to stop the GSP facility.<\/p>\n
Arifin said apart from what he called \"a minor fluctuation\" such as
\nthe issues over human rights and workers rights Indonesia-U.S. relations
\nare excellent.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia is included in what the U.S. Department of Commerce calls
\nthe big ten emerging markets towards which the U.S. will launch major
\ncommercial initiatives,\" he added.<\/p>\n
He continued that Indonesia needs to launch a more intensive campaign
\nto enlighten the American public, notably the Congress, of the mutual
\nbenefits of good bilateral ties.<\/p>\n
Arifin, a former trade minister who assumed his post in Washington
\nsix months ago, acknowledged how inadequately informed American's are on
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
\"I think the second informal APEC summit meeting here in November
\nwill be a good opportunity to show to the U.S. government the great
\nbenefits both sides will reap from excellent relations,\" Arifin said.
\n(vin)<\/p>\n
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