Indonesia's troubles

Indonesia's troubles

Since the dramatic fall from power last May of President
Soeharto, things have not been going smoothly for the world's
fourth most populous nation. Just in the past few days, some of
the worst violence of the year has raked Aceh, a separatist-
minded province of Sumatra. At least eight soldiers and 17
civilians have been killed and many more injured in riots and a
subsequent crack-down. The violence is a sign of the deep trouble
Indonesia still faces, even as other Asian nations begin to see a
glimmer of possible recovery.

Elections have been scheduled for June, and Indonesians across
the spectrum agree they should take place after more than three
decades of authoritarian rule. But no one should be lulled into
believing that elections alone can solve Indonesia's troubles,
even if the vote is free and fair -- a big if. Mr. Soeharto's
rule inflicted too much damage on civil and political
institutions to expect instant recovery.

The damage is evident now in the gruesome violence taking
place: Muslim against Christian, Javanese against Chinese, ethnic
groups against each other. Neither the police nor the Armed
Forces command enough respect to effectively defend law and
order. Separatist movements have begun to make gains in several
regions and islands. Economic conditions remain dismal, with more
and more children being forced to drop out of school.

To all this, the transitional government of President B.J.
Habibie has offered few answers. Evidence that Mr. Habibie is
mostly interested in preserving Mr. Soeharto's authoritarian
structures without Mr. Soeharto has engendered suspicion in many
quarters. Indonesians are much freer to express themselves and
form political parties now than a year ago. But the Habibie
government has shown far too little commitment to uncovering and
punishing corruption and military abuses. Without such an effort,
peace will be impossible.

The ability of the United States or any other outsider to help
Indonesia in its time of trouble is limited. Budget-cutting
forced the State Department to close its only consulate on the
northern island of Sumatra in 1996. Still, the United States can
provide humanitarian aid, help for newborn civic organizations
and technical assistance for the coming elections. And it can do
more to make clear it considers Indonesia's efforts to
democratize vitally important, as in fact they are.

-- The Washington Post