Experts advise moderation in response to war
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.