Erroneous history and the future

Erroneous history and the future

I refer to Soegih Arto's letter titled No hidden motive behind
this?, (The Jakarta Post, May 16, 2001) and the assertion it
contains that "Sukarno and Soeharto's downfalls were not caused
by foreign efforts", but "purely by Indonesians".

This bald assertion simply does not stand up to even cursory
examination and such a belief, in my view, is so erroneous that,
if it is widely held, it will seriously impede the progress of
this nation.

Indonesia is an enormous archipelago that is both rich in
various commodities and straddles strategic sea routes from east
Asia to south Asia, Africa and Europe. This fact has had a huge
impact on world history and, not surprisingly, the history and
culture of Indonesia reflect the considerable influences of
Arabia, India, China, Europe and, more recently, America.
Indonesians, therefore, need to appreciate their important place
in the global scheme of things and not assume they act in
isolation.

Sukarno was indisputably deposed, albeit covertly, as a result
of American and European political, military and economic might.
Soeharto's demise was finally sealed when, as has happened in
other parts of the world, the United States withdrew its support
for the dictator who no longer controlled the country and, thus,
ceased to serve a purpose.

Before Indonesia can set its own course with any accuracy, it
needs to acknowledge and understand the international political
and financial winds and currents that constantly bear down on it
from every angle.

FRANK RICHARDSON

Jakarta