Megawati told to be more assertive over Iraq issue

Megawati told to be more assertive over Iraq issue

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri appears to be wavering on
whether to condemn a possible attack by the United States on Iraq
as calls mount for her to speak out publicly against an attack.

Analyst Ikrar Nusa Bhakti urged Megawati on Sunday to be more
assertive in addressing the Iraqi issue in order to avoid the
misperception that Indonesia supports the U.S. and its allies
over Iraq.

"It is true that we are dependent on the U.S. for many things,
but that should not keep the President from being more assertive
in addressing the issue," Ikrar told The Jakarta Post.

"Voicing an anti-war opinion is a positive thing and in
accordance with our Constitution, regardless of any possible ire
from Washington," he said.

Ikrar's comments came after noted religious leaders told the
government over the weekend to make clear its stance on the Iraqi
issue.

During a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan
Wirayuda last Friday, the religious leader said Megawati had to
make known her position on a possible U.S. attack on Iraq.

"The minister admitted that the President had never officially
addressed the issue, which could be misunderstood as being
indecisive," Muslim leader Solahuddin Wahid told the Post on
Sunday.

The United States and Britain are building up their military
presence in the Middle East for a possible attack on Iraq, which
they accuse of developing and storing weapons of mass
destruction. Iraq has consistently denied the allegations.

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is scheduled to address
the United Nations on Wednesday to present evidence that Iraq has
weapons of mass destruction and must be disarmed.

Solahuddin said Megawati should clearly state that Indonesia
opposes any unilateral action by any country.

"The President has to explain that an anti-war opinion does
not mean we want to hurt our relations with Washington, but we
have to state that we are against their policy of striking Iraq,"
Solahuddin said.

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, saw waves
of street rallies in 2001 after the U.S.-led attacks on
Afghanistan, which was accused of harboring Osama bin Laden, the
chief suspect in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on
Washington and New York.

The rallies, which in several areas were accompanied by
threats against American citizens, prompted several foreign
missions to send home nonessential staff.

Some foreign companies also suspended operations in the
country, creating the impression that Indonesia was no longer
safe for investment.

That put off foreign investors, harming the country's efforts
to overcome the multidimensional crisis that has plagued
Indonesia since 1997.

It is feared that similar rallies should the U.S. attack Iraq
would cause even more damage to the battered economy, harm
bilateral relations between Indonesia and the U.S. and also
encourage radical groups to rally against the U.S., which could
destabilize Indonesia.

Indonesia also has never disclosed whether it would support
any attacks if they were endorsed by a UN resolution.

Ikrar said Megawati should not wait for an attack before
deciding her position on the issue.

"She has to take anticipatory measures before there is any
political chaos, which would only hurt her already weakening
administration," he said.

Hassan, after the meeting with the religious leaders last
Friday, reiterated Indonesia's position that war, for any reason,
could not be justified on the grounds of morality and humanity.

He also said Megawati might send an envoy to European and
Asian countries to try and reach a consensus on how to avoid war.