Leader of Bali Bombing investigation team Insp. Gen. I Made
Leader of Bali Bombing investigation team Insp. Gen. I Made Mangku Pastika has stressed that media news and reports refrain from poisoning the minds of the people, who have been suffering the impacts of a multidimensional crisis.
He made these statements at a press briefing in Denpasar, Bali, on Nov. 17.
Trying to restrain his anger he said, "I have said, don't contaminate the people's minds with dirty and unclear thoughts or ideas." He referred to media reports alleging National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar to be the mastermind of the Bali carnage.
One of the media's function is to criticize and cultivate public perception. This function will be credible if it is also open to criticism and cultivation by others.
The reports in question contained comments, statements, and observation from public officials as quoted by the media. No wonder that Pastika pointed his finger to the news source.
We can understand why Gen. Pastika was so upset. The complicated process of the investigation into the Bali blast has been very tiring. Assistance from the foreign police force has created trust among foreign countries, but at the same time evoked allegations that our police have been "guided" by foreign pressures.
"Let's do our best for this country, which has been suffering a prolonged economic and political crisis, as well as other kinds of crises," he said. With heroic spirit he called upon us to do what we could for the country.
Recent polls have indicated that the public image of the police has improved in relation to the Bali bomb investigation.
-- Kompas, Jakarta
The UN resolution
The U.N. Security Council on Friday unanimously approved a resolution calling on Iraq to provide international inspection teams unrestricted access to sites related to development and production of weapons of mass destruction. Syria, an Arab nation and an elected member of the UNSC, also supported the resolution.
Iraq needs to consider the latest development solemnly and accept the resolution immediately. The only way for Baghdad to avoid war is to fully cooperate with the teams to be sent by the United Nations....
There was a possibility that Washington would have unilaterally launched an attack on Iraq if the UNSC had failed to adopt the resolution, with the United Nations losing prestige as a result.
Unanimous approval of the resolution is the result of diplomatic efforts that emphasized international cooperation above all else.
Iraq must recognize that international society will not allow a violation of the U.N. resolution to go unchallenged.
The Bush administration has warned that it reserves the right to use force at its own discretion. It is up to Iraq to avert a possible U.S. attack.
Japan, for its part, also needs to put diplomatic pressure on Iraq to comply with the latest resolution.
-- Yomiuri Shimbun, Tokyo
Time for Megawati to have spokesperson
Although she has been in office for over a year, President Megawati Soekarnoputri has hardly had any direct dialog with the Indonesian people, a fact which has drawn strong criticism.
In the current political climate, the President's reluctance to speak directly to the people has made a big impact: The public cannot understand the President's vision and mission on the country's politics and economy.
We cannot force the President to become talkative in public, but this doesn't mean she should avoid communicating with the people in an effective manner.
Her predecessor Abdurrahman Wahid had spokespersons who were in charge of clarifying the President's statements. At one time, however, Abdurrahman facilitated a two-way communication system with the people.
Therefore, we suggest that President Megawati have spokespersons who will cover her shortcomings and enhance a healthy communication climate with the people.
-- Investor Indonesia, Jakarta