Action, not flattery needed

Action, not flattery needed

In a joint press conference with his host, President Megawati
Soekarnoputri, on Wednesday, U.S. President George W. Bush sent a
strong message to Indonesian Muslims, the majority of the
country's population, that he deeply respects Islam, which he
described as a religion that is fully compatible with democracy,
tolerance and progress.

Bush also reiterated that the all-out American war against
global terrorists -- who, unfortunately, are mostly members of
Islamic-oriented groups -- is not a war against Islam.

"Terrorists who claim Islam as their inspiration defile one of
the world's great faiths. Murder has no place in any religious
tradition -- and must find no home in Indonesia," Bush said
during the media briefing at the Patra Bali Hotel.

As a token of appreciation for Megawati's resolute measures
against the terrorists here, Reuters reported that Bush said
he would propose a six-year project to Congress worth US$175
million to support basic education in Indonesia as part of the
effort to develop an education system that discouraged extremism.

Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Hasyim Muzadi, however, directly
expressed to the American president his opposition to the
project, which is clearly aimed at pesantren (Islamic boarding
schools), often cited as one of the prime breeding grounds for
terrorists.

No less important than the bilateral summit itself, Bush also
met with the leaders of Indonesia's major religions, including
Muslim, Christian and Hindu leaders.

First of all, we would like to salute the three Indonesian
Muslim leaders -- the chairman of this country's largest Muslim
organization Nahdlatul Ulama, Hasyim Muzadi, of the second
largest, Muhammadiyah, A. Safii Maarif, and State Islamic
University (UIN) rector Azyumardi Azra -- for their perseverance
in meeting U.S. President George W. Bush on Wednesday despite
strong public opposition to any such meeting from some in the
Muslim community.

We believe the three prominent Muslims proved their
statesmanship by directly conveying to the U.S. president the
deep opposition of the majority of the Muslim population here to
the U.S.'s arbitrary policies in fighting terrorism, and its soft
position on Israel, which continues to act in a brutal and
unrestrained manner against the Palestinians.

Their readiness to hold talks with Bush once again signals to
the world that the majority of Indonesian Muslims are not only
moderate, but also people who are always ready to open their
hearts and minds, even to those who adopt a position contrary to
their own. The Muslim leaders spoke frankly to America's top
leader.

Megawati's government, for its part, has done well in
combating terrorism, as proved by its handling of the Oct. 12
Bali bombings last year.

We warmly welcome President Bush's reiteration of his stance
on Islam and his high regard for Indonesia, which he described as
the third largest democracy in the world. However, it is
important to note here that this is not the first time he has
voiced such flattering commendations.

These commendations, however, will be far from enough to
convince Indonesians here. Or worse, the message could even
deepen the sense of dissatisfaction with the world's only
superpower as what people want to see from the president is
concrete action to back up what he says, not just lip service and
empty statements.

We fully understand America's traumatic experience in the
Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. As a nation that thinks of itself as
civilized, we also fully support the U.S. war to eradicate
terrorism. However, we are sorry to say that for most people
here, and most probably also in other predominantly Muslim
countries, it is apparent that the superpower is putting on a
charade of pretending not to know what the root cause of
terrorism is.

The war against terrorism should not be used as an excuse to
bully weaker countries. Hasyim told the president that his
government's unwillingness to act against Israel's barbaric
treatment of the Palestinians has sparked anger among the world's
1 billion Muslims.

How can the U.S. preach to the world about justice when it
permits Israel's efforts to subjugate the Palestinians by
whatever means it deems fit to continue? Why does the superpower
demand that Iran stop its nuclear program while defending
Israel's nuclear program at the same time?

The U.S. and its allies invaded Iraq based on reasons the
veracity of which are now being questioned, even among Americans
themselves. Bush can say that the occupation of Iraq has nothing
to do with Islam. Nevertheless, people see that most of the
victims are Muslims. Many people here even doubt the sincerity of
President Bush's statements about Islam.

Finally, we want to call on President Bush to back up his
public remarks about justice, Islam and terrorism by concrete
actions that are in line with universal values and interests, and
not only American values and interests.