Mega urged to get tough against U.S. air strikes

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A former ambassador here on Tuesday urged President Megawati Soekarnoputri to adopt a tougher and more explicit stance against the United States-led air strikes against the Taliban and the al- Qaeda terrorist network.

Former Indonesian Ambassador to Washington Hasnan Habib urged the President to explicitly call for an end to the attacks in Afghanistan.

The president "should formalize her criticism," Hasnan said.

"I think the U.S. has destroyed all the military targets. If the attack continues civilians could become victims," Hasnan told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

In a thinly veiled rebuke of the U.S., Megawati on Sunday asserted that while terrorism cannot be tolerated and those involved must be punished, attacks on another country's territory ware also not acceptable, even in pursuit of terrorists.

The Indonesian government in its initial statement stopped short of denouncing the air strikes, stressing instead that they were concerned about the events taking place.

The government's fence-straddling stance has also received criticism from many vocal Muslim groups.

On Tuesday most government officials here remained silent as to the substance of Megawati's statement made during an Ascension Day ceremony on Sunday.

The Foreign Ministry's acting Director General for Political Affairs, Rezlan Ishar Jenie, when asked by the Post said further elaboration would be forthcoming from the President.

"Most of her speech was intended to highlight the government's stance on terrorism," Rezlan replied adding that "the statement was simply adjusted for the occasion of the religious forum."

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda who is in Shanghai to attend a ministerial meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, when contacted, declined to comment.

Even though Megawati's remarks on Sunday did not represent the official government position, in Hasnan's opinion it was a reflection of her disapproval of the attacks.

He also thinks there could be disappointment from Washington which was hoping for Indonesia's political support after Megawati met with the U.S. president one week after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

Hasnan also believes that as a country guided by a "free and active" foreign policy, Indonesia must not follow the policy of superpower states, and must consider the views of Muslims throughout the world.

"Indonesia cannot be silent in witnessing attacks which cause misery to civilians," Hasnan added.

He further brushed off possible repercussions on U.S. aid to Indonesia, claiming that Washington is in dire need of resources to finance its war effort and may not be able to fulfill its aid pledges anyway.

"Indonesia shouldn't expect too much from the U.S. and their promise of assistance," Hasnan said.

Separately, former Defense Minister and foreign affairs expert Juwono Sudarsono praised Megawati's latest comments.

"Since the beginning, Indonesia has only agreed with limited scale military operations," Juwono told the Post.

"Megawati's remark was expressed very timely," he said adding that it implicitly reflected disapproval of a possible ground invasion.

Washington however has brushed off Megawati's remarks. ABC Australia on Tuesday reported that the U.S. insists the best defense against terrorism is "a strong offense."

White House spokesman, Ari Fleischer said that Indonesia needs to remember and understand that U.S. territory was brutally attacked, and that the U.S. has every right to take all steps it deems necessary to defend itself. Fleischer also denied that global support for the U.S. reprisals was eroding.

Juwono suggested that Megawati may appoint a special envoy to lobby for an end to the Afghanistan crisis.

"Mr. Ali Alatas, former foreign minister, may be appointed the president's special envoy. He may discuss with other Muslim leaders ways to end the crisis. It'll show Indonesia is very concerned with the situation," Juwono said.

He further suggested that Megawati could hold a special meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on the sidelines of the APEC summit on Oct. 20-21 in Shanghai.

"They may also respond to the U.S. accusation that Osama bin Laden organization, al-Qaeda, has been operating in the three countries," he added.