No apology needed

No apology needed

Now, after 50 years of independence and as we are welcoming
Queen Beatrix, the question is whether it's still relevant to
debate the issue of 350 years of Dutch colonialism in Indonesia.
And are we to indulge in demands for an apology?

Colonialism is an interesting subject for study and research.
However, any act of looking back on our past history should not
lead ourself to demean our dignity as a free nation. For that
reason we must welcome Queen Beatrix as queen of a sovereign
nation whose mission is to strengthen the friendly relations.

We are a great country and a great nation. Debating the need
for an apology only opens old wounds. The damage would become
even greater when the rhetoric involved implies a baseless
arrogance.

The greatness of the Indonesian people has already been proved
by its capability to oust the colonial power 50 years ago. Now,
during the visit of Queen Beatrix, we must once again prove that
we are indeed a great nation.

As far as we are concerned the fact that Indonesia attained
its independence on August 17, 1945, is a reality which no one
can deny. That fact will not grow or diminish in significance
whether or not there is any recognition or apology from Queen
Beatrix.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta