Habibie's absence at APEC
The most intriguing gossip today seems to center around the absence of President Habibie from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Auckland, New Zealand. After Indonesia's foreign policy strategy concerning East Timor ran aground in international waters, in spite of foreign minister Ali Alatas' tireless and dogged efforts to save face for Indonesia, and amid internal turmoil in the provinces of Aceh, Maluku and Irian Jaya, compounded by the Bank Bali scandal, there are not many trump cards that Habibie can play in Auckland.
Presidential spokeswoman Dewi Fortuna Anwar's argument that Habibie has more urgent matters to attend to on the home front sounds rather hollow, to say the least. As I see it, Habibie is a tough personality who rarely gives up on an idea he believes in and loves to face challenges. But the international criticism or outright condemnation of his policies aired by American President Bill Clinton, among others, seems too much for Habibie. Maybe he could not show his usually proud and dignified face without betraying a trace of disappointment, stress and shame after he became a cunning political actor.
It may be that the "genius scientist statesman" prefers to weigh his chances in the upcoming presidential election in the People's Consultative Assembly than exchange free trade nonsense in Auckland. After all, man does not live by trade alone. (In reality, without exports the economy would collapse).
A great number of people have also blamed Habibie for allowing the former Portuguese colony to slip from Indonesia's hands following an unsuccessful 23-year campaign of territorial expansion.
If, however, his voice is still firm and loud, even shrill at times, Habibie has not lost his self-confidence. I have more than once suggested that Indonesia should have a vice president who can replace the head of state in times of crisis or inconvenient circumstances. For to paraphrase the famous Beatles' song: I believe in yesterday when there was a vice president.
GANDHI SUKARDI
Jakarta