Aditjondro's proposal

I refer to George Aditjondro's article in The Jakarta Post of Nov. 3, 1999, and feel it necessary to make the following short comments:

Aditjondro's proposal to implement Gorbachev's idea of establishing a commonwealth of nations in Indonesia is entirely incorrect.

I lived for three years in Moscow as Indonesia's ambassador to the Soviet Union and studied all the historical, social, political and cultural aspects of that country.

Previously, for centuries the country had been governed by Russian feudalists czars. This led Lenin to revolt and the result was the Soviet Union. The conditions in Indonesia are different.

In Indonesia, the history of the nation's struggle led to the awareness of national awakening and this was strengthened by the struggle of the pioneers of independence like Budi Utomo. It culminated in the Youth Pledge of 1928.

The growth of national awakening has accelerated since the 1945 physical revolution led by Bung Karno, Bung Sjahrir and General Sudirman, with the establishment of the Unitary State from Sabang to Merauke.

For more than 50 years we have surmounted various upheavals. These upheavals often had outside intervention to divide our nation. Currently, Indonesia is the fourth biggest nation with more than 200 million inhabitants.

I am convinced that we can overcome all kinds of upheavals in the future. I also believe that the Gus Dur-Megawati duet will be capable of realizing a true democracy in accordance with Indonesia's identity.

DR. H. SUBANDRIO

Jakarta