Megawati's balancing act in U.S. visit

How can President Megawati Soekarnoputri make the best of a delicate visit to the United States, given last week's tragedy? The Jakarta Post talked to Wiryono Sastrohandoyo, a former envoy to France who was also ambassador to Australia until last year.

Question: Why is President Bush going ahead with his invitation to President Megawati, despite the recent terrorist attacks?

Answer: It seems that President Bush is prepared and eager to meet with President Megawati. For the Indonesian side, it's difficult to say no. The presence of the president of the nation, the majority of whose population are Muslim, and the largest Muslim population in the world, is symbolically important. It is eminently appropriate to have the President of Indonesia in Washington, because that will be seen by the people of the U.S. as Indonesia being at one with the U.S. at this hour of grief and sadness. That is, I think, the symbolic meaning of this visit.

See how CNN described President Megawati as the head of government of the nation with the fourth-largest population and the world's largest Muslim population. The U.S. will also be happy to hear from our President at least (judging from) what she said before (in condemning the violence) and maybe more than that.

But it is also in our interest to be expressing the voice of wisdom. The world is experiencing a big problem and we cannot just point fingers; we need to be able to look into the problem with honesty because otherwise we will not be able to understand what is going on ...

What message should Megawati convey to the U.S. government?

Naturally, she can reiterate what she has stated through Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda: that we condemn terrorism and are ready to cooperate with the U.S. to combat terrorism; and then suggest the long-term view because the U.S. is probably focusing on one short-term solution.

But for people in the U.S. retaliation is very important, and if the government doesn't retaliate in a manner that is perceived as sufficient, then the government will face difficulties. (The issue) will become a partisan political issue in the U.S. The President may be attacked for lacking determination in tackling these terrorists. So that is the political dimension.

But internationally ... the strength of the U.S. is in acting proportionately, because if it is perceived as excessive then it will be more difficult for the U.S. That is essentially what our President could say to President Bush, to look beyond retaliation and (act) together with others under the United Nations resolution, and also to think beyond retaliatory actions. This is also the view of many developing countries.

There are fears that Megawati's visit could be used by the U.S. to justify its retaliatory actions.

Within our own country there are different views: There are sympathetic feelings to the U.S. as well as those who are very critical.

This is, of course, the risk that Ibu Megawati is taking. Therefore there is a need to be wise in making statements, which should be ... balanced but clearly also indicating that we definitely condemn these acts of barbarism and are willing to cooperate to uphold justice, and also to deal with the grievances of those feeling marginalized. The U.S. could, of course, act alone, because it is the sole superpower, but even superpowers need to act proportionately and not in an excessive manner.

But Indonesia itself has not resolved terrorism at home.

This is caused by different reasons, but basically it's the same ... Our government was perceived as acting in an unjust and imbalanced way; people in Aceh and Irian Jaya felt they were victims of injustice. And we are now dealing with this problem, and the U.S. itself is advising Indonesia not to use force. The fact that we are facing terrorism and violence ourselves does not preclude us from expressing views to use nonviolence to settle problems. We need not be shy in expressing our views, in showing a genuine desire to resolve the problem in an enduring way.

What Indonesian interests could be served after these bilateral talks?

Our economic recovery depends very much on the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Consultative Group on Indonesia and the Paris Club, where U.S. influence is very strong. We need to maintain good relations with the U.S.

Of course it would not be nice of us to impose ourselves and neither do we have the ability to do so, but we need to raise some difficult things ... In terms of what has happened in East Timor ... our government has done a lot (in this area).

Our exports are going to be hit because our exports to the U.S., even before the crisis, have declined. Indonesia needs stronger government regulation in boosting our exports to the U.S.

Subsequently, policies to encourage investment in Indonesia must also be implemented to enable Indonesia to return as the anchor of stability in Southeast Asia. The U.S. will feel more comfortable if this region is stable, a matter in which Indonesia is of strategic importance. (Kornelius Purba)

Editorial -- Page 4