A foreign affair

A foreign affair

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono embarks today on, arguably,
his most important state visit since taking office. For the next
10 days, he will visit two global powers -- the United States and
Japan -- along with fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nation
(ASEAN) member Vietnam.

This will be the President's fifth foreign trip since taking
office in October, and the most watched since his first overseas
trip last year.

Susilo's arrival at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) summit in Chile and the ASEAN summit in Laos last year
reaffirmed his administration's commitment to regional processes.
Bilateral visits to Singapore and Malaysia earlier this year were
important in cementing ties with Indonesia's closest neighbors,
while Susilo's trip to Australia, showed Jakarta's goodwill
toward a neighbor with which it has had often difficult ties.

Despite a few discreet fumbles, through it all the new
President showed the poise and dignity becoming of a leader of
the world's third largest democracy. His aplomb standing among
dozens of state leaders during the Asian-African Summit in
Jakarta last month further solidified Susilo's image in the
international spotlight.

Not only has he proven to be a worthy spokesman for the
nation, but also an effective salesman. Now it is time for Susilo
to show that he is an ardent national advocate in facing a global
superpower.

Without reducing the significance of previous international
trips, his visits to Washington and Tokyo will undoubtedly be the
most closely scrutinized back home.

Like it or not, the reality is that the United States and
Japan are masters of the prevailing geopolitical hegemony.
Whether we are simple observers, subscribe to traditionalist real
politik thinking or are students of globalization, no pragmatic
scenario -- political, economic or militarily -- can detach
itself from the central role these two countries play.

We may not like the existing world order -- the self-
righteousness of unilateralism and the marginalization of those
disconnected from globalization -- nevertheless it is one that we
cannot avoid.

Susilo's description, during a speech to the Indonesian
Council on World Affairs last week, of the challenges facing
Indonesian foreign policy as "navigating a turbulent ocean" is an
apt analogy of the challenges he faces in his meeting with U.S.
President George W. Bush.

While there is amity at the heart-to-heart level between the
people of the two countries, it is also an unequivocal fact that
most Indonesians are disgusted with the foreign policy of the
Bush administration.

The current wave of antagonism toward Washington cannot be
blamed simply on a retracted Newsweek article over the
desecration of the Koran by American interrogators at Guantanamo
Bay. An incorrect article by itself would not trigger such mass
hysteria. What is at the heart of the reaction to the story is
that based on past U.S. actions, many believe such desecration is
plausible.

Despite the close relationship and America's generosity to the
victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami, we expect Susilo to convey
categorically Indonesia's disappointment over the conduct of the
world's superpower. Expressions of Indonesia's desire to
intensify relationships -- trade and security -- should not
prevent the sending of a clear signal that we stand opposite the
United States on many international political issues.

Susilo should not sell out our principles, our national pride
or our international identity simply to be chummy with
Washington. Nationalism must be at the root of our
internationalism.

But neither should our opposition to many of Washington's
foreign policy stances lead to hostility.

In Susilo's own words, Indonesia subscribes to an open,
moderate, tolerant and outward-looking nationalism, not one that
is arrogant or self-absorbed. Furthermore, while being
independent-minded is critical, it is no use to end up making
wrong turns or becoming marginalized. Hence the need for a
constructive approach in the conduct of foreign policy.

"An ability to turn adversary into friend, and to turn friend
into partner."

It also our hope that while abroad, the President will be
accountable to international scrutiny of his commitment to
continuing democratization, protecting human rights and
resolving internal issues through diplomacy.

With regards to Japan, Susilo's visit is testament to the
long-standing relationship between Tokyo and Jakarta. As the
overall largest investor in Indonesia, Japan has proven its
desire for a long-term presence in this country.

Unlike Tokyo's closest neighbors, Indonesia is mature enough
to look beyond the tragedies of history in its relationship with
Japan. It should be forgiven, but not forgotten.

By going to Tokyo and reiterating pledges for continued
cooperation, we hope Susilo can pave the way for further
collaboration between the two countries. It is also an
opportunity for the President to declare his political will to
overcome impediments that have bogged down various cooperation
projects with Japan. An inability to settle these bureaucratic
obstacles will not bode well for coming free trade negotiations
between the two countries.

Jakarta and Tokyo are central players in regional cooperation,
especially with the ascendance of the East Asia Summit. A
strategic partnership should be welcomed in which the two
countries can foster closer links in all areas, including issues
of conflict prevention and non-traditional security threats.

Susilo and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi have met
at least four times at various multilateral events over the past
seven months. This coming visit should help solidify the rapport
between two important regional players.

This all seems a massive undertaking for just 10 days.
However, with the groundwork already laid and a strong political
will, we are confident that Susilo can use this tour to set the
necessary framework for positive relations with two of the
world's most powerful nations.