Experts advise moderation in response to war

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Experts and public figures suggested on Tuesday that the government maintain amicable relations with the United States despite the fact that the country is leading an assault on Iraq.

They said the government's stance on the Iraq war should not jeopardize Indonesia's interests.

During a one-day gathering called the National Security Talks hosted by Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, experts said an antiwar campaign was no longer relevant as the U.S.-led attack on Iraq had already taken place. They, nevertheless, urged the government to continue promoting a diplomatic approach to seek a solution to Middle East issues, "which is more realistic at the moment".

The meeting was aimed at collecting inputs on Indonesia's foreign policy to bring back peace so as to prevent the war disrupting domestic interests.

Participants in the gathering included former Cabinet ministers Ali Alatas, Alwi Shihab, Juwono Sudarsono, Muladi and TB Silalahi, and National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) Governor Ermaya Suradinata.

Senior journalist and former Indonesian ambassador to Australia Sabam Siagian, Jusuf Wanandi of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), noted preacher Abdullah "Aa Gym" Gymnastiar, and Muslim intellectuals Azyumardi Azra and Nurcholish Madjid were among those in attendance.

"We have to be realistic. Indonesia alone will not be able to stop the war. It requires a commitment among the nations of the world to do so," Ali Alatas said.

The former foreign minister suggested that Indonesia keep the more important issue of Palestine alive despite the Iraq war.

"Ask the UN to promote fairness in settling the dispute between Palestine and Israel," Ali said.

Meanwhile, Sabam suggested that the government remain aware of domestic problems as a result of the war, especially in connection with the economy.

"In voicing its stance on the Iraq war, the government has to be wise so that its policy does not affect domestic interests," Sabam said.

Analysts have warned that Indonesia's economic growth could slow should the war in Iraq last for more than six months, signaling a worsening economic scenario.

In the wake of antiwar campaigns across the nation, various demands have been voiced, including pressuring the government to cut economic ties with the U.S. and its allies. Some protesters also vowed to boycott all U.S. products.

As the largest Muslim country in the world, Indonesia faces difficulties in tackling domestic problems in the wake of the war. Many even believe that the war has opened the door for a revival among Indonesia's hard-line groups even though the government and interfaith groups have repeatedly said that the war has nothing to do with religion.

In order to cope with the problems, Azyumardi Azra urged the government to promote dialog with these religious groups, including the hard-liners, saying that "strong opposition to war in Iraq is not enough to maintain our domestic interests."

"We have to realize that, whether we like it or not, the war in Iraq is hurting the hearts of Muslim people here," Jusuf Wanandi added.