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