Mega's visit to U.S. timely

There was indeed, at first, some hesitation among senior Indonesian government officials whether or not to accept the American presidential invitation. The economic value of the visit seems to have more significance than the political aspect, so the go-ahead signal was given.

Yet an influential figure like People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais advised President Megawati to wait a little longer until conditions in the USA stabilized. Amien Rais believed the U.S. government would have little time and desire to pay attention to the high-powered Indonesian delegation, which will press for more U.S. investment.

It has to be admitted that more harm than good will be done if U.S. President Bush, as some analysts are fearing, decides to send in American troops to catch who they think is the main culprit, or in Bush's own words "evil doer", while the Indonesian delegation is still in the USA.

But Megawati has also gone to New York to address the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly scheduled for Sept. 21, barring any changes in the schedule. So the opportunity to address the international community to expose Indonesia's stance on various international matters, probably including how to combat terrorism (Indonesia itself is suffering from it at home), should not be missed.

But the delegation's main mission is to convince the American business and financial community that investing in Indonesia is profitable, that the country is safe for investors and its economy is recovering. While President Bush and his government, including Secretary of State Colin Powell, will be willing to listen to the Indonesian side, it remains to be seen whether a positive reaction and follow-up will be forthcoming and immediate.

It needs some courage for a huge delegation led by President Megawati to continue its sacred mission to Japan when the international community, business, financial or otherwise, has hardly settled down after the shock. Japan, after all, is the second-largest investor in the country and is known to be willing to help solve Indonesia's economic problems.

To wait for a better chance to meet American and Japanese leaders to talk about Indonesia's economic woes and potential might be a futile exercise. Any opportunity that offers itself, under whatever international conditions, should be seized without delay.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta