Departing EU envoy says democracy in RI irreversible

Departing EU envoy says democracy in RI irreversible

Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Indonesia
Ambassador Sabato Della Monica has been posted here since July
2000. He is preparing to return to Brussels, where the European
Union (EU) is headquartered, as soon as his term in Jakarta ends.
Della Monica shared his experiences and achievements in Indonesia
with The Jakarta Post's Veeramalla Anjaiah recently. Following
are excerpts from the interview:

Question: What were the salient features in the relations
between the EU and Indonesia during your term?

Answer: The EU and Indonesia have a special affinity and
understanding for each other -- "unity in diversity" is the
watchword here.

We are fully behind Indonesia's efforts to defend its national
and territorial integrity.

Trade and investment relations between Indonesia and the EU
are very important, but do not figure very large in public
discussions; but if you take the European investment here since
the 1990s, it is the largest foreign investment from abroad.

EU markets remain the most open to Indonesian exporters and
the second most important after Japan.

The EU has demonstrated a deep interest in its investment and
trading relations with Indonesia, but we are not eager to rush
off into bilateral free trade agreements to hunt for short-term
benefits at the cost of the larger common benefit.

In our economic development and economic cooperation, we
operate a finely tuned set of instruments aimed at translating
the process of reformasi into real improvements for the
population, especially for the poor, the sustainable and
equitable management of natural resources, including Indonesia's
unique forests and treasure of biodiversity, remains high on the
agenda.

So do health and education, areas where the impact on the poor
is critical.

Improvements in the justice system are at the core of our
efforts to help Indonesia upgrade its system of governance for
the benefit of the population across the board.

During your four-and-a-half years in Jakarta, you have
observed the terms of three Indonesian presidents. How do you
view the prospects for Indonesian democracy?

The systematic transition from one-man rule to democratic
accountability, as Indonesia has achieved with the election of
2004, ranks -- in my view -- as one of the most significant
events of the post-Cold War era.

As you say, I experienced three presidents: Gus Dur
(Abdurrahman Wahid), Megawati Soekarnoputri and now Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono. I took up my post in July 2000; had I come
just nine months earlier, it would have been four presidents,
including B.J. Habibie.

Indonesia has made a remarkable journey from a strongman's
rule that made shrewd use of patterns of patronage deeply rooted
in history.

In 1988, this system collapsed -- swifter than many thought
was possible -- and gave way to a system of imperfect democratic
accountability with the 1999 elections. Imperfect, because it was
the party leaders in the MPR (People's Consultative Assembly)
that elected or, for that matter, impeached the President, not
the electorate.

The elections of 2004 have ushered in a system of much
improved democratic accountability; for the first time, voters
could vote for the parliamentary candidate of their preference,
and directly elect their president.

Next year, Indonesians will -- also for the first time --
directly elect the provincial governors and Bupatis (regents).

These are ground-breaking achievements: The Indonesian
electorate has demonstrated its maturity.

Democracy is now irreversible. I am convinced that the
democratic process in Indonesia has taken firm root, and is here
to stay.
As you know, Indonesia badly needs foreign investment. What
steps should it take to attract foreign investment, especially
from the EU?

The new government's declared key objective is the improvement
of the livelihood of the majority of Indonesians. This calls for
higher sustained and equitable growth of the real sector of the
economy and the reduction of unemployment. It cannot be done
without the resumption of domestic and foreign investment, which,
at current rates, is far too low.

Investors need to feel confident about the future, require
predictability in the application of rules and regulations, and a
legal system that adjudicates fairly.

Volumes have been written about the nexus of confidence and
the investment climate. Once lost, it is very difficult to
reconstruct.

This government sends the right messages, realizes that
investment in Indonesia's dilapidated physical infrastructure is
as critical as is investment in its neglected social
infrastructure, like health and education.

Investors are not awaiting the perfect world, but credible
signal and policies, even in small steps that will change the
reality on the ground for the investor for the better.

The President has taken an important decision in calling for
an Infrastructure Summit next month. I trust that representatives
from major European companies will be invited -- European
companies have a good track record in infrastructure --
particularly those here in Indonesia.

Could you tell us about your experiences in Indonesia, both
positive and negative?

I have been privileged to travel to many areas in Indonesia,
large cities and villages. I have felt the enthusiasm of people
at all levels -- but notably at the grassroots level -- to make
use of the small resources to improve the lives of their families
and communities, in so many projects that we have supported
across this vast archipelago.

I have been privileged to make many good friends from all
walks of life. I have seen some of them go from strength to
strength, like Sri Mulyani Indrawati (State Minister of National
Development Planning) and Munir. Both participated in our
visitors' program in the service of their country, setting strong
role models, especially for the younger generation.

So, since you also ask me, less positive experiences.

Munir's death came as a brutal shock; like a cold wind from a
bygone era. No stone must be left unturned until the perpetrators
have been brought to justice.

I also recall my visits to areas where displaced people from
the conflicts of 2000 lived in limbo, some for years. We are glad
that we were able to assist in resettling some of them.

I am also saddened that our efforts to assist the peace
process in Aceh during the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement,
the so-called COHA from December 2002 to May 2003, did not bear
fruit.

Deep in my heart, I hope that this effort was not in vain, and
that the short few months that the Acehnese were able to taste
peace will not be the proverbial flash in the pan, but instead
inspire the realization that peace cannot be secured by weapons.

Believe me, that is also the quintessential lesson that five
decades of European integration have taught us.