Megawati should learn from Putin's strong leadership, says analyst
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
In the past few years, Indonesia and Russia have shared many similarities. Both have been trying to deal with separatist movements and severe economic problems.
The difference is that Russia, in relative terms, has managed to deal effectively with those problems, while Indonesia has not. Therefore, while President Megawati is in Russia, she could learn a lot from the host country how to deal with those two serious issues, according to analysts.
After dwelling on the economy, which hit rock bottom in 1998 with the devaluation of its currency, the ruble, Russia's economy recovered much faster than expected. And in 2001, Russia was no longer in need of assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
On the separatist issue, Russia has also swiftly and firmly dealt with the Chechnya rebellion. Although thousands have died since Russian troops set out to quell the rebellion in 1994, Moscow managed to get the international community off its back for the massive crackdown.
The United Nations human rights watchdogs even failed to push ahead with a resolution on the issue of human rights abuses in Chechnya during their sessions in the past two years.
Unlike Russia, however, Indonesia is still battling separatist movements in Aceh, Papua and Maluku, as well as the economic crisis.
Indonesia also is still dependent on the IMF for international financial support.
While it may not be the best comparison due to very different historical circumstances, at least one analyst sees it as an opportunity for Indonesia to learn from Russia.
Soedjati Djiwandono, a noted analyst, said that Megawati could learn from Russian President Vladimir Putin in leading Russia out of the crisis.
"His strong leadership, managerial and organizational skills are something that Megawati should learn in handling the domestic crises," Soedjati told The Jakarta Post.
"Another point that our leader should learn is how he expresses himself as a stable and tough leader, who fully controls every word he speaks."
Putin's toughness was seen in his tough measures against separatism in Chechnya as well as in his economic policy.
On the economy, Putin maintains his austere budget and limit on Russia's investment abroad so that it can pay off its mounting foreign debt of $140 billion -- about the same as Indonesia' foreign debt.
Megawati is slated to meet Putin on April 21, when officials of the two governments are expected to sign a number of Memoranda of Understanding, including ones for oil and weapons cooperation.
Reports said that Megawati would buy two Sukhoi-27 and Sukhoi- 30 jet fighters from Russia.