CSIS launches books on Indonesian politics

CSIS launches books on Indonesian politics

JAKARTA (JP): The Centre for Strategic and International
Studies (CSIS) launched two books yesterday, on Indonesia's
confrontations in the early 1960's and the need to revitalize the
country's political system.

Konfrontasi Revisited, Indonesian Foreign Policy Under
Soekarno, written in English, is by political scientist J.
Soedjati Djiwandono.

The 224-page book examines Indonesia's foreign policy in the
1960 to 1962 period with special reference to the relations
between Jakarta and Moscow.

The book is a revised version of Soedjati's 1982 doctoral
thesis written at the London School of Economics and Political
Science.

Sitting as commentators at yesterday's book launch were former
Ambassador to Australia Sabam Siagian and political scientist
Juwono Sudarsono.

Sabam said the book would add to the rather sparse catalog of
books on Indonesian foreign policy. He suggested that Soedjati
translate his work into Indonesian with added information on
various theoretical aspects.

He praised Soedjati's work, saying the fact an old topic still
made interesting reading "signified the intellectual quality of
the book".

Juwono, in his commentary, said that the Konfrontasi era
exemplified the nature and role of a charismatic national leader,
like Sukarno, for a newly developing nation.

He criticized the book for neglecting to highlight the media
and the "image war" aspect of the Konfrontasi, which Juwono said
was a major part of the overall strategy.

The Revitalization of the Indonesian Political System, written
in Indonesian, is a compilation of writings by young political
scientists and edited by Soedjati and CSIS political researcher
T.A. Legowo.

In his commentary, Muhammad Hikam, welcomed the ideas
presented and said it was refreshing to see that young political
scientists shared his vision of revitalizing the political system
and recapturing the ideals laid down by the nation's founding
fathers. (mds)