Indonesia sympathizes with U.S. people and government

Indonesia sympathizes with U.S. people and government

The following is the address of President Megawati
Soekarnoputri at the gala dinner in Washington D.C. on
Wednesday, held by the United States-Indonesia Society during
her visit to the U.S.

WASHINGTON D.C.: Before all else, I invite you all to join me
in observing a moment of silence in remembrance of those who lost
their lives in their tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 as a result
of the barbaric terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington
D.C., and Shankville, Pennsylvania. May God bless their souls.

I must admit that I had a moment of hesitation about this
visit, in the light of the Sept. 11 tragedy. But after second
thoughts, and after consultations with our friends in the U.S.
government, I came to the conclusion that this was the time of
the government and people of Indonesia to accept the invitation
of President George W. Bush, and to show their deep sympathy and
support for the government and the people of the United States of
America in these difficult times.

In my country, through the medium of television, we saw how
human life was wasted without compunction. I believe the
terrorists are making a big mistake if they think that through
their brutal action, by violently taking the lives of innocent
people, they can destroy your country. On the contrary, the big
challenge that you are facing now will bring out the best in
America.

In my view, the basic values that have always been the sources
of America's strength, namely individual freedom, the openness of
society and a strong republican spirit will not crumble as a
result of the attacks by terrorists. The terrorism of Sept. 11
will probably profoundly change the world we live in. But I am
convinced that in this changed world, America's basic values will
be even stronger, and will become a richer source of universal
inspiration.

Thomas Jefferson, one of your admirable founding fathers, once
said that the tree of democracy will grow even stronger, if from
time to time it is watered with the blood of its martyrs. The
victims of terrorist actions in New York City, Washington D.C.,
and other places, are such martyrs. Their lives might be
forcibly snatched away, but the tree of democracy will just grow
stronger and will not weaken.

It is a distinct honor and pleasure for me that I am finally
able to meet with you. I wish, therefore, to thank the United
States-Indonesia Society and the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council for
inviting me to meet Indonesia's friends. I cannot say enough
about the valuable contributions these organizations have made to
the promotion of relations between Indonesia and the U.S.

Today, I had very productive talks with President Bush in the
Oval Office. I told him what I wish to tell you tonight: that we
mourn with America, that we share your grief and outrage, and
that we strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations. Indonesia is ready to cooperate with the U.S.
and other civilized countries on counter-terrorism.

I understand that the U.S. attaches great importance to
Indonesia. As a friend, the U.S. certainly wants Indonesia to
succeed in overcoming the challenges it is currently facing.

At present, Indonesia's democracy is moving forward in a more
institutionalized way. Last July, a transfer of power took place
in a peaceful and constitutional manner . As a result, I believe
the process of democratization that started in 1998 will grow
even stronger.

Nevertheless, it does not necessarily mean that democracy in
Indonesia has reached a satisfactory level. We are still in a
transitional period. And, like other countries in a similar
period, Indonesia has weaknesses as well as urgent challenges
that need to be addressed.

To deal with such a difficult situation, I stress the
importance of bilateral relations between the United States and
Indonesia. The U.S. is the first modern republic whose
development has influenced the history of other countries,
including my own. Indonesia, with the largest Muslim population
in the world, is now embarking upon a new phase in its history.
Our success in establishing a democratic system will become a
positive factor not only for the region of Southeast Asia but
also for the world at large.

For us, the challenges ahead are certainly not easy. Some of
the problems were inherited from the past. And some others are
perhaps part of a transitional process, taking place in a complex
and pluralistic society with minimal experience of democracy.

We are facing the challenge of separatism in Aceh and Irian
Jaya. In addition, there is social conflict in Maluku, Kalimantan
and Sulawesi, which has so far caused thousands of refugees to
languish in deplorable conditions.

In the meantime, Indonesia remains determined to deal with and
carry out other important programs, such as decentralization of
some of the powers of the central government to the regional
governments.

However complex the situation may be, my government continues
to pursue its efforts to eradicate corruption, to place the role
of the military in a correct balance, to balance the relationship
between the executive and the legislative, to proceed with
necessary constitutional amendments, to enhance the judiciary
system and to continue to uphold the supremacy of law.

In short, my country is determined to review and revise
various aspects of national life, that are needed to make us a
sound democratic republic.

In addition to the aforementioned challenges, a new and
distressing problem has emerged, namely an increase in the
incidence of terrorism. My government is fully determined to
overcome this complex problem, just like the leadership of your
government.

As for the issue of Aceh, I am aware that it has attracted a
lot of attention from some members of the U.S. Congress, as well
as human rights activists. In this regard, I would like to
reiterate that at present I am trying to handle it in a peaceful
manner, through a responsible political process without
sacrificing the national integrity of Indonesia.

Of course, as we learned from the history of England, Spain
and other countries, this is not an easy matter. However, I would
like to make it clear once again that the integrity of our
country is of the highest importance and we will defend it at all
cost.

Abraham Lincoln, one of your greatest heroes, carried out a
similar policy about one and half century ago. America became
great because, among others, the principle of national integrity
was upheld by Lincoln and other heroes of that era. As I said, we
will certainly pursue a peaceful political approach. But as did
Lincoln in the United States, we will defend the integrity of
Indonesia no matter how long it will take.

At the commemoration of Indonesia's independence day last
August, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) launched a series of bombing
campaigns, that destroyed more than 50 school buildings in Aceh.
In our view, such violent actions can only destroy the political
dialog we have been initiating. A peaceful and prosperous Aceh
can only be achieved if GAM decides to sincerely participate in
the dialogue and lay down their arms.

The policy of special autonomy would give the province of Aceh
more authority for self-government. I am fully convinced that if
it is earnestly carried out, this policy will immediately yield
many benefits to the people of Aceh, and will pave the way to a
cessation of hostilities and suffering in the province, which has
suffered far too long.

Now, I want to turn to another issue. I understand that
military relations between the two countries is an important
issue for the U.S. Congress. I have stressed to President Bush,
that the resumption of our military relations with the United
States will strengthen democracy in Indonesia. As in other
democratic countries, the minimal role vested in Indonesia's
military establishment is that of protecting the country's
territorial integrity and political sovereignty. These two things
are essential in a democracy. A democracy cannot exist, if its
territorial boundaries are changed and twisted at every pretext.

I must also say here, that I commend the attitude of the
Indonesian military and police for rejecting, during the
political crisis of last July, the President's decree to dissolve
parliament. At the critical moment, they made a stand for
democracy.

As a person who had experienced the bitter taste of tyranny, I
am of the opinion that the future democracy of Indonesia will be
far better guaranteed, if a wiser method is undertaken in
promoting the process of democratization.

I began my political career as a member of the Indonesian
parliament. Since that time, I have experienced the sour and
salty taste of politics. I had been inspired by hopes, but I also
hand to bear the pain of suppression, including violations of
human rights. In this regard, I have expressed my commitment,
upon assuming leadership of my country, to continue the redress
of various violations of human rights, including those
perpetrated in the wake of the popular consultation in East
Timor. This will be carried out through ad-hoc human rights
courts specifically established to try those cases of human
rights violations.

That is the map of the road that we are taking.

Among the most challenging problems Indonesia faces is the
need to recover from the financial crisis, that struck Indonesia
four years ago. We have therefore signed a Letter of Intent with
the International Monetary Fund, which commits Indonesia to a
rigorous program of national economic recovery. Before the
signing, the Letter of Intent had been pending for about eight
months. In addition to the agreement with the International
Monetary Fund, we have also made an important agreement with your
Overseas Private Insurance Company.

Frankly, this will not be easy for us. However, we recognize
that a commitment is a commitment, and we intend to do our utmost
to honor our obligations, and to maintain our credibility and
creditworthiness to the international community, and the global
economy.

Once again, I have to admit that there are a lot of things we
have to do. The problem is that our resources a not unlimited.
This is one of the reasons we are inviting investors to do
business in Indonesia. To serve that objective, my government
plans to launch new investment policies.

We also recognize the central importance to the international
community, as well as to our own citizens, of eliminating
collusion, corruption and nepotism (KKN). This means undertaking
major social and legal steps toward the transformation of
society. These efforts, of course, will not yield results
overnight.

As a first step, I have asked all my ministers as well as
those closest to me, to observe the norms of established modern
nation states in this regard, and I have asked my ministers to
submit a statement of their assets and liabilities. Transparency
such as this, discourages KKN.

I firmly believe that the best of Indonesia is yet to come.
The challenges faced by my government today are enormous, but
Indonesia has had more difficult problems in the past, and
history has proved that we have an uncanny ability to bounce
back.

Finally, let me close with one final thought. I came here
literally from the other side of the planet. Indonesia is 13 time
zones away from the United States, and it took me over 24 hours
to fly from Jakarta to Washington D.C. But although our history
and cultures are different, there is an important similarity
between the Indonesian dream and the American dreams. I am not
talking about the American dream of "a family, a house, and two
cars in the garage". I am talking about the dream of creating a
great nation where all men and women are treated equal, where
people of all races, ethnicity, and religion live side by side in
peace and prosperity as one. America's founding fathers dreamt
this, and ours did too. That dream remains dear in my heart and
in the hearts of millions of Indonesians.