Inappropriate to ask for U.S. help

Inappropriate to ask for U.S. help

From Pikiran Rakyat

U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's visit to
Indonesia embraced a comprehensive political mission. She paid a
visit to the President and also met with a number of figures who
could serve U.S. interests in Indonesia.

One of the reformists openly asked Albright to exert pressure
on the Indonesian government to help overcome the riots in
various parts of Indonesia. The man then explained that he only
asked the U.S. to exert moral pressure, giving the reason that if
Indonesia is not able to surmount the riots following pressure by
the U.S., Indonesia will be ostracized by the international
community.

During her Indonesian visit, Albright was only interested in
the East Timor issue and democracy efforts for the upcoming
general election. She did not show concern about the tragedy in
Ambon, where hundreds of Muslims have been slaughtered, nor the
Aceh tragedy that continues to claim victims.

Behind the goodness and the concern of the U.S. toward
Indonesia a very dangerous poison lurks. If we are not watchful
we will be made a fool. What is the purpose of asking for U.S.
help if it will kill us? We must also consider the feasibility of
the U.S. to intervene morally. Does the U.S. qualify as a moral
country?

We can ask the U.S. a number of questions about their support
for Israel, an attitude which has clearly robbed Palestinians of
their land and a decent life. We could question the U.S. embargo
and the frequent attacks on Iraq which has caused suffering to
the Iraqi people. The U.S. has been slow to respond to the Bosnia
and Kosovo crises. Where is the moral integrity of Bill Clinton
who clearly committed adultery?

We Muslims refrain from asking for U.S. help, be it moral,
political or economic interventions. It would only enhance the
domination of the superpower and give them a chance to force
their will on Muslims and Muslim countries.

DADANG SUPRIYANTO

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