Firmer attitude of govt needed

I read in the newspapers of April 27, 2002 an article about Indonesian food self-sufficiency. President Megawati expressed that she is rather annoyed looking at the food situation in Indonesia with its 200 million population, but is not yet independent in domestic food supply, while China with 1.2 billion people is self-sufficient in food. And on top of that it is already experiencing a surplus ready for export. I am ashamed, she said. I hope that Indonesia can be self-sufficient, which is quite possible especially if the whole nation works hard in cooperation with the government.

The Jakarta Post of April 27, copying an article of The Evening Standard, reported the arrest of 20-year-old Harris Sutresna, the son of the outgoing Indonesian ambassador in London, Nana Sutresna, during a police raid in a flat in Harkney on March 28. He was found in possession of crack cocaine, which is categorized as a class A drug. But Harris was released on grounds of diplomatic immunity. No one at the embassy in London was available for comment, which is understandable because they are ashamed, because this arrest will tarnish Indonesia's image, which is already low. I too am ashamed.

On law enforcement, I can understand the attitude of the law enforcement units, because sometimes the government uses two different standards. In Aceh, for example, it is always talks and dialogues and in spite of the Strategic Army Reserved Command's (Kostrad) statements that the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) is a separatist movement and should be annihilated. And that the government continues to take a hesitant approach, trying to talk and have dialogues which is shameful, and only prolongs the suffering of the common people.

The rebels have several times expressed their position, that they only will talk on the basis of separation from the Republic. Be firm for once and not try to use international statements as a reason to hesitate. If for instance the Swedish government supports Indonesia's integrity, why don't we ask the Swedish government to expel those GAM leaders living comfortably in their country as illegal immigrants. I am really ashamed of the hesitant approach of my government.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta