Foreign CEOs air concern over security

Foreign CEOs air concern over security

Berni K. Moestafa and Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Foreign ambassadors and expatriates urged the government to
counter the negative reporting of anti-U.S. rallies, warning that
the bad image arising from the news was hurting investor
sentiment.

American business consultant James Castle said on Friday that
the government should do more to convince foreign investors of
the real situation at home.

"Why are we doing all the public relations for Indonesia, why
isn't Indonesia doing more?" he asked reporters after a meeting
between expatriates and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan
Wirayuda.

The government, and foremost President Megawati Soekarnoputri,
should issue stronger statements to calm the public, Castle said.

"Given the international climate, given Indonesia's difficult
economic circumstances, they (the government) are being way too
quiet," he said.

Jakarta on Friday saw its fifth consecutive day of anti-U.S.
rallies since the start of U.S. military strikes on Afghanistan
last Sunday.

Fresh concerns over street violence have tempered the appetite
of foreign investors for local assets, putting at risk the
country's budget targets.

These concerns have also added to negative sentiment on the
currency market, dragging the rupiah to renewed lows.

Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Baron van Heemstra said "the
(security) situation is not as desperate as it looks."

He argued that negative reporting by the media had blown the
anti-U.S. demonstrations out of all proportion.

"I call it the CNN Syndrome," said Belgian Ambassador Luc
Darras, referring to the U.S. based television station, Cable
News Network (CNN).

He further suggested that the government hold a dialog with
the Indonesian public to explain to them the urgency of battling
terrorism.

British Ambassador Richard Gozney struck a more concrete note
by urging the police to continue guarding UK expatriates.

"We expect the police to arrest those who break the law," he
said.

The British Embassy has often been the target of rallies as a
result of Britain's active role in the strikes on Afghanistan.

Despite the protests, Gozney said, British expatriates were
staying because they were confident of Indonesia's future.

For president of Mexico-based PT Cemex Indonesia, Francisco
Noriega, and his staff, it was business as usual.

Noriega said the company was operating normally despite
heightened security concerns in the capital.

But he advised the government to take "a stance and send a
clear message" telling foreign investors that the anti-U.S.
protesters represented only a minority in Indonesia.

Minister Hassan acknowledged that the local and international
media had been exaggerating the anti-U.S. protests here.

"We have a very free and active media, and the same applies to
the international media," Hassan told participants at the
meeting.

He went on to reiterate the government's commitment to
providing continued security for non-nationals.

"Many of them here are businessmen. They bring the country
benefits," he said.

He also said the government would not bow to public pressure
to condemn the U.S. attacks against Afghanistan.

On Monday, the government issued a statement, which cautioned
America to limit its offensive against Afghanistan, but fell
short of condemning the attacks.

"We see it as a war against terrorism, not against Islam,"
Hassan said. "We must educate people about this."

Yet Indonesia's moderate stance has created a dilemma for the
government.

While enraging local critics, the stance has also made some
countries question Indonesia's support for the U.S campaign
against terrorism.

"Indonesia cannot act as the spokesman for the U.S and UK,"
Hassan explained.