Can't we all just get along

Can't we all just get along

President B.J. Habibie's comment about racism in Singapore was
really shocking.

In my opinion, to maintain a good and harmonious relationship
with our neighbors, it is always best not to talk about something
which we find bad or annoying in their domestic affairs. I
understand that Habibie is probably still embarrassed by the
comments made by Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew prior to Habibie's
becoming president. Whether or not his recent statement was meant
as a counterattack to these comments, I would think that such a
statement by Habibie (if it was indeed true) would not help his
popularity in the next election. How can he be considered a true
statesman?

Indonesia and Singapore are two close neighbors which have
always have a good relationship in the past because both
countries are dependent on each other. So where is the ASEAN
spirit?

YANTO

Jakarta