From Washington to Jakarta

From Washington to Jakarta

The presence in Jakarta of (Palestinian leader Yasser) Arafat
and (Israel's Shimon) Peres gives us reason to be proud of the
fact that there are still others who are turning to Indonesia, a
nation in a deep crisis, to resolve the decades-old Middle East
crisis.

Such trust seems to negate the (Indonesian) government's
inability to resolve the crisis at home. Even as Arafat and Peres
turn to Gus Dur (President Abdurrahman Wahid) for help to settle
the conflict between their disputed areas, the conflicts in Aceh
and Maluku remain unresolved. Gus Dur is displaying his inability
to settle the conflicts raging at home.

Nevertheless, our pride at being able to serve as a meeting
point for the resolution of a global conflict should not be
erased by our inability to manage domestic crises. Credibility at
international level and reputation at home are two mutually
supporting factors. It can be imagined how difficult things would
be if Gus Dur had to face mistrust coming from two sides
simultaneously. Gus Dur, however, should learn that political
credibility abroad is, to an important degree, also determined by
successes scored in managing crises at home.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta