Indonesia has a lot a offer in fighting terrorism: Expert

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia, which has been criticized for dragging its feet in rooting out terrorist elements, should use the current global predicament to show the world that combating terrorists can be done without violating democratic values.

George Charles Bruno, an expert on democracy, noted that as a young democratic society Indonesia had a lot to offer, especially in fighting terrorism.

"Indonesia should take this opportunity to create the image of itself as a vibrant democracy capable of waging war against terrorism," the former U.S. ambassador to Belize said.

"In that way it could create a new image for the country," Bruno said in a round table discussion here on Wednesday.

"Indonesia should fight terrorism its own way, with its own tradition, but at the same time be respectful of its democracy and rule of law, and civilian control over the military."

Several Indonesians are currently being detained for alleged involvement in terrorist activities abroad.

Indonesia has been accused by its neighbors of not doing enough in cracking down on terrorists activities.

Several Muslim clerics have also been accused by neighboring governments of playing a key role in alleged cross-border networks.

But Jakarta maintains that there remains little evidence to warrant the arrest of these individuals.

In fact many officials here maintain that there are no elements of the infamous al-Qaeda network working in the country.

Officials here also reject the idea of merely rounding up people based on suspicion, since Indonesia does not wish to revert to draconian tactics commonly found in authoritarian states.

Singapore, for example, has arrested alleged terrorists using its Internal Security Act.

Bruno said that the current climate was an opportunity to rebuild the country's battered international image and to show to the world it could ensure that the archipelago was not exploited as a sanctuary for terrorists.

The country could be the example of how nurturing democracy and fighting terrorism were not conflicting, said Bruno who was also a civil rights attorney with a distinguished career in law.

"I know that you are doing a lot and the U.S. government is appreciative. There is no serious conflict between the governments and everyone respects Indonesia's growing democracy," he said.

Bruno described Indonesia as "a model of how a Muslim country should be organized."

Bruno, known as a colleague of former president Bill Clinton and vice president Al Gore, also underlined the importance of the recently started human rights trial on alleged rights abusers in East Timor.

According to him the execution of a credible trial would go along way to helping restore full military ties between Indonesia and the United States.

Washington suspended military ties in 1999 following a wave of violence in East Timor, committed by militias which were purportedly backed by the Indonesian military.

Congress has stipulated that full military ties cannot resume unless those responsible are satisfactorily tried and punished.