Foreigners should not panic

As an American who has lived in Indonesia for a long time I can understand the feelings of concern about personal security as a result of recent statements by some of the more radical Islamic groups. However, I also feel that we should not panic -- in part because I believe that the overt threat is coming from a very small minority of the Indonesian people, but more important, because panicking will simply play into their hands.

We should keep in mind that the agenda of most of these groups goes far beyond issues of U.S. power or hegemony. They want an inward-looking, closed Islamic society that will not only severely curtail Indonesia's access to the global political- economic stage, but will also pose a direct threat to the great majority of Indonesians who are not radicalized and simply want the means to a better and safer life.

I stress this because I believe that the current government recognizes this concern and has clearly chosen a path of international engagement and internal reform geared, among other things, to revitalizing Indonesia' economic position to the ultimate benefit of its people. These efforts will not be easy. Many of the problems are deeply ingrained and vested interests hard to overcome. But the international community who sincerely favor a stable and prosperous Indonesia of the future should support these efforts.

By panicking and giving in to threat we are in fact contributing to undermining the courageous stand taken by the current government. The best way that we can assist is by making it clear that while we will not go looking for or creating trouble (we are guests in Indonesia and should behave as such), we will not let intimidation from a small (albeit vocal) minority deter us from carrying on with our work. This is exactly what the government is currently asking foreigners to do and, in their support, we should do it.

PETER GARDINER

Jakarta