Criticism of U.S. Ambassador continues

JAKARTA (JP): The furor over United States Ambassador Robert Gelbard persisted on Wednesday as Defense Minister Mahfud MD again criticized the envoy while legislators said they would demand that President Abdurrahman Wahid call on the U.S. President to recall the ambassador.

The criticism took on a very personal tone as the attacks were directed against the ambassador himself who was described as "arrogant", while being carefully designed not to cause affront to Washington.

The heightened friction also came amid reports that Gelbard had temporarily left the country for a personal trip.

Leaders of the House of Representative's Commission I on defense, security and foreign affairs told journalists after a meeting here on Wednesday that they had decided to send a letter to Abdurrahman urging him to write to President Bill Clinton so that Gelbard be recalled.

"The commission's letter will be sent to President Abdurrahman tomorrow (Thursday) or the day after tomorrow," said commission member A. Effendy Choirie.

"But it depends on Gus Dur. He may or may not send a letter to Bill Clinton," Effendy of the National Awakening Party (PKB) remarked.

He said that the demand was mainly sparked by ire over Gelbard's personal style and his earlier actions which they considered as interference in Indonesia's domestic affairs.

Effendy stressed, however, that the demand was personally directed at Gelbard and was not a sign of ill-feeling towards the American people or government.

Another commission member, Joko Susilo, made no qualms about his dislike for the "arrogant style" of the U.S. envoy.

"Gelbard seems to have no knowledge of Indonesian culture, unlike previous U.S. Ambassadors," Joko of the National Mandate Party (PAN) remarked.

He even went so far as to suggest that Gelbard, whose last diplomatic posting was in the Balkans, never underwent training on Indonesia as was required of other U.S. diplomats here.

"Gelbard too often issued statements which were considered by our culture, particularly Javanese culture, as impolite," Joko, who was a former Washington correspondent for the Jawa Pos daily, added.

Gelbard's alleged style has become notorious in the media in recent months particularly after several top politicians and even cabinet ministers claimed that he had directly tried to intervene in top appointments and other national issues.

Despite repeated denials, the allegations persisted.

The latest exchange of accusations and denials involved Gelbard and Mahfud. It was aggravated by the sudden closure of consular activities at the U.S. Embassy here last week.

Events further deteriorated when groups of men conducted a hunt for Americans staying in international hotels in Surakarta, Central Java.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy said in a statement that the U.S. Embassy would continue to be closed to the public until at least Thursday.

It claimed that the move was necessary due to security concerns.

The closure has coincided with rising anti-U.S. sentiment here following the eruption of violence between Israelis and Palestinians in the Middle East.

The embassy also cautioned American citizens in Indonesia to avoid areas of instability and potentially dangerous situations.

In Makassar, South Sulawesi, Minister of Defense Mahfud said that he had "nothing personal" against Gelbard and could accept him staying on as ambassador.

However, Gelbard should also appreciate the spirit of friendship and show respect for the situation and customs here.

"Since the U.S. has announced that Gelbard won't be replaced, we respect that," Mahfud said, adding that both governments should learn from past experience that anybody visiting another country must appreciate that country's sovereignty.

"I don't have any personal problem with him...But we are indeed different".

When asked about the closure of the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Mahfud remarked that Washington had every right to do so. Nevertheless, he questioned the expressed motives behind it.

"But, I think if the closing of the embassy was due merely to a fear of demonstrations...that's too much! Lets not talk about an ambassador (being subjected to protests) as even our President receives protests every day. So how can foreigners be so terrified?" Mahfud remarked.(27/edt/jun/byg)