No sweet talk please: Let Bush go to the beach

Kornelius Purba, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, korpur@yahoo.com

When then U.S. president Ronald Reagan visited Bali for four days in May 1986 on his way to attend the industrialized countries summit in Tokyo, he delivered only empty promises. Today, it is ridiculous to expect anything from U.S. President George W. Bush who is scheduled to stop on the island for three hours on Wednesday.

To win the heart of Soeharto, Reagan gave his host a pleasant gift shortly before his arrival, appointing senior diplomat Paul Wolfowitz as U.S. ambassador to Indonesia.

The meeting coincided with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, where Reagan promised to convey ASEAN aspirations at the Tokyo summit. To the outrage of Indonesia and ASEAN, practically no single word from the proposal was included in the Tokyo joint communique. The Chernobyl nuclear disaster was used as an excuse for Reagan's failure to deliver his promise.

So what can be expected from Bush who is only staying at the Patra Hotel in Bali for three hours? Bush's probable true response to Muslim leaders who rejected his invitation for a 30- minute discussion with him on the grounds that it would be a waste of time would be likely "Honestly, so do I."

His short sojourn is likely just a chance to regain his stamina before his next meeting with Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who Bush calls his sheriff for the Asia Pacific.

There is little for Bush to discuss with President Megawati Soekarnoputri as they already met during the recent two-day Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Thailand. Megawati has the right to be disappointed because Bush spent about eight hours with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but only three with her.

Like Arroyo and Bush, Megawati's father was a former president and Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation. So one might ask, why the less favor to Indonesia's president?

It is understandable that Bush is remaining confined to the hotel, given it is just a few kilometers from the location of the Bali bomb attack, which left 202 people dead. Megawati's minders have perhaps advised her not to ask for any favors as one cannot pin much hope on anything that comes out of Bush's mouth. Even officials in Washington will be issuing the same advice.

The Washington Post in its Monday edition quoted White House officials as saying that Bush misspoke last week when he said the U.S. was ready to launch new military training programs with Indonesia. Military ties have been frozen for years because of the human rights record of the Indonesian Military (TNI).

But what if the U.S. President demanded Megawati prove she was really serious in fighting terrorism? The President could give a simple but convincing answer: "George, let's go to Krobokan prison, which is not far from here." Convicted Bali bombers, including Imam Samudra and Amrozi, are jailed there.

Who knows, after seeing the prison with his own eyes, the world's most powerful person could be so impressed that he might tell Megawati that he wants Hambali, Indonesia's most wanted terrorist suspect, to be jailed there also.

It might be better if Bush just stayed on the beach at the rear of the hotel and simply enjoy Bali's peaceful and magnificent surroundings. For security reasons he would not likely be able to get a massage. However, with a security clearance from the U.S. Secret Service a woman could braid his hair. Selected vendors could also be invited to offer selected handicrafts.

But according to reports the top brass from the TNI and National Police have vowed that as Indonesia is Bush's host, they are responsible for his security, not the Secret Service.

Actually Bush's visit is expected to help revive Bali's tourism industry, which was left in ruins after the Oct. 12 terrorist attack. It is yet to recover, although Australian tourists are returning. The Balinese would be very grateful if his visit could help them convince the world that the island is again safe.

However, if Bush does not want to be bothered during his "stay", he can hang the "Do not disturb" sign on the door of his hotel room.