How RI and U.S. could become better friends

How RI and U.S. could become better friends

Richard G. Lugar, Senator, Washington D.C

Indonesia and the United States have long been friends. They
should now become stronger partners, working together to foster
democracy, stability, religious freedom and respect for human
rights throughout Southeast Asia.

As a U.S. Senator and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, I believe my country should become more engaged with
Indonesia on all levels -- economic, political and cultural. I
recently told my Senate colleagues that I believe the
significance of Indonesia to Asia and to the world is often
under-appreciated. Indonesia is an important country and the
U.S. wants to stand with Indonesia as it continues its democratic
transition.

This journey toward full democracy is one that my country has
traveled for more than 200 years, and yet we still encounter
challenges and difficult issues. Like Indonesia, we are a
religiously observant society that values the distinction between
political and religious institutions, and deeply treasures
religious tolerance. Our people, like Indonesia's, practice many
religions and come from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds. Our
country also spans a large area and encompasses a number of
geographic and regional interests.

Of course, Indonesians themselves must determine their own
solutions suitable to Indonesia. What the U.S. can do is offer
support and offer lessons we have learned as our democracy has
developed.

Recently, a group called the National Commission on U.S.-
Indonesian Relations issued a report that will become an
important point of reference for my colleagues in the U.S.
Congress. The report was written in collaboration with the U.S.-
Indonesia Society, the National Bureau of Asian Research and the
Asia-Pacific Research Center at Stanford University.

The report suggested a number of areas where the U.S. could
assist Indonesia in its development: Education, democratization,
economic growth and security. The Commission recommends that the
U.S. and other countries donate more money to programs in these
areas.

In particular, I believe education is vitally important.
Democracy only works well when the citizens are educated enough
to inform themselves about government policies, and education is
the surest route to better jobs and a stronger economy.

Democracy, development and growth are of mutual interest to
both Indonesia and the U.S.. In 2002, Indonesia's exports to the
U.S. were US$9.6 billion, while the U.S. exported $2.6 billion
worth of goods to Indonesia. This trade, and foreign investment
in Indonesia, can grow rapidly, if the infrastructure of business
and law increases.

I am pleased that five percent of all Indonesian students in
the U.S. attend schools in my home state of Indiana. More
Indonesians should come to study in my country -- but it is also
important that American students study in Indonesia. Our two
countries have much to learn from each other.

Another element of democracy, which we have found essential,
is transparency. Our system promotes openness in the operations
and conduct of all government agencies, including the national
military and law enforcement agencies. A free and vibrant news
media, which actively reports full details of government
activities at all levels, has greatly benefited Americans and our
friends around the world.

In Indonesia, I believe a higher level of transparency would
benefit citizens in both our countries as well. For example,
Indonesian and American citizens will both gain from knowing
details of a transparent and vigorous investigation into the
killings of an Indonesian and two Americans (and wounding of
eight others) last year near Timika in Papua.

Just as Indonesia can benefit from the lessons America has
learned regarding transparency, a free press, the rule of law and
other basic foundations of democracy, so too America can learn
from Indonesia. We need to hear your ideas about promoting
democracy in a pluralistic society where individual rights and
individual obligations are kept in balance.

We can learn from your efforts to respect and practice deeply
held religious beliefs while your country modernizes and
traditional social structures change. This will benefit America
as we join our efforts toward the common objective of a
prosperous and democratic Indonesia.

As our U.S. Ambassador, Ralph L. Boyce, said recently, "We
hope the friendship will be further strengthened as our two
countries continue to work together toward shared goals in a
spirit of mutual respect and appreciation."

The writer is also Chairman of United States Senate Foreign
Relations Committee