Face responsibility to change

Even with all of the present scandal in Washington, I am still proud to be an American, not because America is always right, but because of its strong moral foundation and standards. It has been said that America is great because it is good; if it ceases to be good, then it ceases to be great.

Therefore, I am thankful for Kenneth Starr and his work as Special Prosecutor by helping get to the facts. Each one of us, and especially the Congress, can now make a judgment about how serious an infraction of the law has taken place. I am sure President Clinton has failed to meet our expectations as to the responsibility of the President of the United States to be a moral leader and example for the people.

But, that's a very difficult responsibility. No human being is perfect or capable of meeting everybody's expectations 100 percent of the time.

I am proud of my president because, when he was found to be wrong, he was willing to humble himself and confess his wrong doing. Hopefully, with our prayers and support (remembering that we all sin), he will be able to forsake his, and continue to become a better person, husband, father and president.

Wouldn't it be better for both America and Indonesia to follow the recent example of President Clinton and stop denying wrongdoing in the past, and start facing up to our own responsibility to change? For example, Indonesia and America should not continue to exploit the natural resources of Irian Jaya.

In an article dealing with the causes of famine in Irian Jaya (The Jakarta Post, Sept. 8, 1998), the governor of Irian Jaya, Freddy Numberi, reveals a "sexual scandal" involving America and Indonesia which is of far greater practical importance than the one which is presently occupying so much attention in Washington. This "sexual scandal" is the rape, and plunder of Irian Jaya by the American company Freeport McMoron Copper and Gold, Inc., based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

This deserves much greater attention than the Clinton affair because the lives of hundreds of people hang in the balance. Over 700 died of starvation there last year, and hundreds and possibly thousands will die there, and in other provinces of Indonesia, unless we listen.

Governor Numberi announced that one of the main causes of famine in Irian Jaya is the "exploitation" of its wealth by Freeport, in collusion with Jakarta. The abundant natural resources with which Irian Jaya has been blessed cannot keep the people there from starving to death because most of the money is siphoned off to Jakarta and America. Until now, the true owners have never given their consent, nor have their opinions been considered.

The governor's solution is that Irian Jaya must be given autonomy. This will enable it to govern itself, so that its natural resources can benefit those to whom it belongs, and "to avert continued unrest". Governor Numberi is referring to incidents of unrest such as the pro-independence rally in Biak on July 6. The Indonesian military opened fire on 500 peaceful demonstrators, killing Ruben Orboy outright, and arrested 180 demonstrators, with several still missing. In the days following, bodies were found floating near Biak, some with bullet wounds and some still handcuffs. (cf. The Jakarta Post, July 30, 1998). Among the provinces of Indonesia, Aceh has no monopoly on killing fields.

Governor Numberi is saying, as Moses of old, "We've had enough of killing fields, operations and exploitation: 'let my people go'!" If Jakarta does not listen to his warning, there may be serious consequences for Indonesia. Sin has a painfully high price: it makes no difference whether it involves an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, a modern American president, or present colonial masters. The rape of Irian Jaya must stop. The people there must be given their say: autonomy is needed now.

DAN ADAMS

Jakarta