Do we have national pride?

Do we have national pride?

The UN-approved International Force for East Timor (Interfet)
arrived in the territory on Sept. 20. Even though there was a
"mild" argument raised by Indonesia in an attempt to prevent
Australia from leading this peacekeeping force, the United
Nations Security Council had decided that Australia would lead
the force. Various comments, concerns and protests were raised by
Indonesia. The greatest reaction was seen from the Indonesian
Military (TNI) with the cancellation of the 1995 security
cooperation agreement with Australia.

Some people have said the United Nations and certain foreign
countries have humiliated us. Frankly, we currently have nothing
to be proud of. Being under the pressure of a huge foreign debt,
we are economically under the supervision of the International
Monetary Fund and controlled by powerful and capitalistic
countries. The consequence is that we have to listen and do
whatever they tell us to do, particularly when it comes to
running our economy.

M. SULHAN ASKANDAR

Jakarta