American arrogance

American arrogance

East Timor is once again becoming a thorn in Indonesia's side. Even though it has become an independent country, the old thorn still hurts and is causing Indonesia's image to bleed. This time it is even threatening a halt in all international economic aid to Indonesia. That threat was conveyed not by just any country, but by the U.S. Secretary of Defense, William Cohen, and it was conveyed directly to President Abdurrahman Wahid.

Cohen's threat is considered by many to be quite improper. The era of delivering threats is over, but it seems that the United States is still displaying its old arrogant nature, thinking that such an attitude is effective in dealing with Indonesia.

In this matter, however, Cohen could be proven mistaken. The Republic of Indonesia is no worm which can only writhe when stepped on and then die. This is a nation that is capable of putting up a resistance. An American economic embargo could well boomerang on American interests in and around Indonesia. Therefore, Washington, threatening other countries with an economic embargo is an obsolete political habit that is no longer appropriate in this present era.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta