JP/4/Ambition

JP/4/Ambition
Put aside personal ambitions
Put aside presidential ambitions

Kornelius Purba
Staff Writer
The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

Despite Indonesia's explosive political and economic
situation, President Megawati Soekarnoputri will likely become
one of the most enthusiastic leaders to attend the 21-member Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shanghai on Sunday.

Amid nationwide protests, some involving violence, against the
U.S-British attacks on Afghanistan, the President is determined
to depart for China on Wednesday for a five-day visit there.

Even one day before her departure, she was scheduled to attend
the routine weekly meeting of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) instead of chairing a Cabinet meeting.

After a brief stopover to inaugurate a project in Batam, the
President and her entourage will fly to Hong Kong and stay there
for two nights. State Protocol Chief Rachmat Ranudiwidjaja
explained that her stay in Hong Kong was intended to give the
President an opportunity to prepare for the APEC Leaders Meeting
(AELM).

Of course, her senior aides, like State/Cabinet Secretary
Bambang Kesowo, will quickly defend the visit to China, including
her two-day stay in Hong Kong, as strategically important for
Indonesia's survival. Furthermore, it will be stated that the
visit to China was scheduled long before the Sept. 11 tragedy.

There is no doubt that the APEC summit is very important,
although most of its decisions are practically non-binding in
nature. Indonesia is a prominent APEC member.

But Megawati, as with all world leaders, should alter her
priorities following Sept. 11.

In Shanghai, the President will again meet with U.S. President
George W. Bush, whom she met in Washington last month. She had
earlier expressed her support for U.S. efforts to curb terrorism,
but avoided commenting about possible attacks on Afghanistan.

In the planned second meeting with Bush, Megawati should send
a strong message for domestic consumption rather than for the
international community.

International terrorism will again become the focus of the
summit. Chinese President Jiang Zemin has reportedly sent a
personal letter to APEC leaders, telling them that they are
expected to sign an anti-terrorism agreement at the summit.
The agreement will cover joint efforts to drum up aviation and
port security and curb the financing of terrorism.

But what can Megawati bring home from Shanghai as her gift to
Indonesia in resolving the country's unending crises?

Following the U.S.-British strikes on Afghanistan, most
Indonesian leaders have totally changed tactics, at least in
public. Megawati's potential rivals have now seemed to opt for
silence, avoiding any blunder on the way to the 2004 presidential
election.

Politicians ranging from People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
Speaker Amien Rais to the fault-finding House of Representatives
Speaker Akbar Tandjung, have suddenly adopted Megawati's
customary silence as a recipe for self-protection in these
politically sensitive moments, as rallies continue against the
U.S.-led attacks.

Criticizing the U.S. and western countries too strongly may
also cost them dearly. Those countries can easily group such
leaders outside their category of friends, while support is
essential for their political future.

Within Indonesia, they may have to pay too dear a price if
they fail to appease angry anti-American groups.

Even Vice President Hamzah Haz, who after the terrorists
attacks on the U.S. rebuked the superpower, now refrains from
commenting on the Afghan crisis, following complaints from the
West, including U.S. President George W. Bush.

This time Hamzah must show leadership as part of the ruling
coalition government. If he is too "soft" he will face resistance
from his United Development Party (PPP), while a harsh position
against the West might harm his chances in the 2004 presidential
race.

After his failure to win the vice presidential post in July,
the cautious Akbar has announced his presidential candidacy.
While urging the government to adopt a tougher stance against the
U.S., Akbar also opposed calls to cut ties with the superpower.
Also the Golkar Party chairman, Akbar only vaguely warned against
destructive protests against the U.S..

Amien, who has also disclosed his candidacy, is also reluctant
to address the media. He may still remember that his statement
over the clashes in Ambon during a rally at the Monas square
early last year had disappointed many, including those from
foreign countries.

Look at the Cabinet, as well as senior officers within the
Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police. Coordinating
Minister for Political and Security Affairs Gen. (ret) Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono is trying to please everybody, including the
demonstrators, through his cryptic statements. He impressed many
in July with his elegant defeat in the vice presidential
election. Many regard him as another potential candidate for
2004.

TNI Commander Admiral Widodo A.S. is also hesitant. Widodo
turned 57 this year. Mandatory retirement for military service is
55 unless permission for an extension of service up to the age of
60 is obtained from the President.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto does not want
problems with the majority, the Muslims. He is the strongest
candidate to replace Widodo this year.

National Police Chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro, who soon turns
56, has tried to harden the police position against illegal
demonstrations. He is working slowly, also probably looking for a
possible extension of his tenure by the President.

For now, they seem to agree that silence is golden --
regardless of the suffering of the nation.