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