Better understanding needed

To a certain degree, President Bill Clinton has been able to lay a solid foundation for the U.S. to enter the new century. His second term in office, therefore, is likely to be devoted to consolidating the achievements that have been scored over the past five years.

Although no significant changes are to be expected, we should carefully watch the new administration. Experience has shown that a change of officials can result in a change in the execution of set policies. It is not seldom for personal sentiments to color foreign policy actions, as American policy regarding Eastern Europe has shown.

We are concerned about Washington's excessive interference in the domestic affairs of other countries, such as regarding human rights. It is no longer fitting for the U.S. to consider itself the champion of democracy because democracy in each country bears its own inherent characteristics.

Some countries faced difficulties when applying the Western system of democracy and had to work hard to recover from the problems they experienced. As it turned out, opening the door to civic liberties too fast upset these countries' economies.

President Clinton's first term was also characterized by a number of political inconsistencies. His policy stand on Bosnia, for example, differed from that on Iraq. Washington is inclined to be indifferent towards countries which support its policies.

There are few problems in relations between Indonesia and the United States. Trade and investment levels are stable. The U.S. is an important market for Indonesia's traditional export commodities. On the other hand, Indonesia is an emerging market for services and commodity exports.

On the political level, we note the need for increasing understanding about Indonesia in the United States. Only a few American legislators understand Indonesia. Most of them, though, have few qualms airing opinions about Indonesia because the majority of the American electorate does not seem to care. This problem area is where we must aim our attention in the coming years.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta