Indonesia warns U.S. of backlash from Muslim world
Indonesia warns U.S. of backlash from Muslim world
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The government reaffirmed on Wednesday its support for
combating global terrorism, but warned that the continued U.S.
strikes on Afghanistan were endangering world peace.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that the prolonged assault would
also give rise to Islamic radicalism worldwide.
"We question the way they deal with terrorism. We don't want
to see the fight against terrorism claim the lives of innocent
civilians and aggravate Islamic radicalism," Susilo told
journalists after seeing off President Megawati Soekarnoputri on
her trip to Shanghai.
The excessive military campaign in Afghanistan will contribute
to political instability in many countries, including Indonesia,
he added.
The military strikes have prompted daily anti-U.S. street
demonstrations in Indonesia and around the world. Several radical
groups in Indonesia have gone as far as sending volunteers for
jihad to Afghanistan.
Megawati implicitly denounced the U.S.-led offensive in her
latest speech during the commemoration of Ascension Day of
Prophet Muhammad on Sunday, saying that an attack on another
country for whatever reason was unacceptable.
The President's statement was widely seen as being more
progressive than the government's initial stance, which merely
expressed concern over the attacks.
The initial position of the government received criticism from
many Muslim groups, which then organized anti-American rallies in
major cities across the country.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Akbar Tandjung said
yesterday that Megawati should formalize her latest statement
into the government's official stance.
Akbar said that Megawati's stronger stand on the U.S.-Afghan
issue had received a positive response from Muslim groups.
"She needs public support to make her government effective,"
Akbar told journalists.
Susilo reiterated the government's stand that although
Indonesia backed the fight against terrorism, Jakarta did not
condone an open war that took its toll on the lives of innocent
people.
International media have reported that the Afghanistan
onslaught has claimed more than 300 civilian lives, although the
U.S. has pledged that the attacks would be limited and measured.
"President Megawati said that currently she had been
communicating with Washington on the matter and it was hoped that
the U.S. would understand her stance," Susilo said.
Asked if the government anticipated a change in Washington's
position toward the Megawati administration due to her latest
statement, he replied: "We are still awaiting their response and
of course we are prepared for any response."
The Indonesian government was preparing a proposal that the UN
intervene in the U.S.-Afghanistan conflict so that the war would
not spin out of control, Susilo said.
"We are weighing the idea of taking Osama bin Laden, the
alleged mastermind behind the Sept. 11 attacks on the U.S., to an
international tribunal .... There should not be any perception
that Indonesia is not cooperative in the global efforts against
terrorism," he added.
The government is also considering sending special envoys to
several countries, such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the
U.S., to seek a solution to the crisis.
Wednesday was the first day since the U.S. launched military
strikes on Afghanistan on Oct. 7 that there were no major anti-
U.S. demonstrations in large cities.
Susilo said the government was aware that the recent waves of
anti-U.S. demonstrations had been utilized by certain political
interest groups to discredit the Megawati administration.
"We have every reason to suspect that," he said. "We are
worried that the continuing anti-U.S. sentiment will cause
instability at home. Certain interest groups are using the issue
for their short-term political gain."