An aircraft carrier in sight?

An aircraft carrier in sight?

Outwardly, the sea has calmed down and the "sharks" have been
chased away, though some are still swimming around; they are
called shark provocateurs. Yet Mr. Clinton from the USA found it
necessary to send special emissaries from the White House, such
as Mr. Summers and U.S. Ambassador Robert S. Gelbart, to assure
President Abdurrahman Wahid, popularly known as Gus Dur, that the
USA is backing him up with all available means, including, I
believe, an aircraft carrier, if the situation calls for it.

The rumor came from nowhere and people were talking about a
rift which was developing between the highest executive circle
and the military or just some of them.

In Latin American or South America, even in Middle Eastern
countries, under similar suspicious conditions a coup attempt
might have been already underway. Admittedly the Americans have a
sensitive nose for that kind of stuff, rightly or wrongly, with
or without unfounded prejudice.

It was clear from the outset that there were groupings in
society led by discontented elements, who, for whatever reasons,
wanted to make life for the coalition government under a
president with a big heart (he is willing to forgive president
convict Soeharto, mind you, but after a fair trial) and a swift
tongue (though causing frowns, it is better than a bad tongue),
unbearable.

There is suspicion that another influential political leader
with a rapid-fire tongue is eagerly waiting for his turn to sit
in Gus Dur's seat, so the rumors say. Why are land sharks or
crocodile politicians often so shortsighted that they can't see
that the best policy is to allow this administration to function,
at least for a few years more, before judging its merits and any
shortcomings considered so serious that a mass resignation of the
Cabinet is called for. Have we to go once more through a period
of costly democratic trials and errors?

For fifty years, this nation waited before it got a truly
democratic framework after the general election last year. The
international community is just began to show confidence in the
new leaders, who have still to mature and acquire more experience
in the running of state affairs. At least the new players, with
God's help, hopefully so, are imbued with a new spirit of
dedication to the welfare of the whole nation through democratic
means, by avoiding the mistakes of the past and abandoning greed
for selfish purposes, by aggressively reaching for the highest
human endeavor and honor.

The presence of aircraft carriers are not needed if the sea
gets calmer and opposition leaders and their armed supporters are
willing to wait until the next general election.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta