Offshore president

Offshore president

Much welcomed as symbolizing the fresh air of freedom when he
assumed office, the new President of Indonesia, Abdurrahman
Wahid, already is running into political complaints at home.
Not that he is there to hear them, and that is part of the
problem.

For good state reasons, Abdurrahman has spent most of his
presidential days once his Cabinet was selected visiting other
countries. He has made quick trips to Japan, the Middle East,
Southeast Asia and North America, and will call in to Beijing
next week after concluding an Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Manila.

Each of these visits has an important purpose. The President
wants to improve ties with nations of shared interests, whether
distant Islamic societies, nearby neighbors, foreign investors or
regional powers.

Each of them wants to hear directly how he plans to maintain
political stability and nurture economic growth.

However, domestic problems don't take holidays just because
the President has gone abroad. The festering separatist movement
in Aceh, strife in Maluku and the troubles of East Timor are
still there, still unresolved, and in some ways worse than a few
weeks ago.

One newly minted Cabinet member already has resigned amidst
charges of past corruption, and two others may follow. Crucial
relationships between politicians and generals have not been
sorted out. Without the President there to lead, not much can be
settled.

This has not been lost on other politicians. Amien Rais, the
ambitious speaker of the national assembly who had hoped to
become president, has called on Abdurrahman to stop traveling
until "the situation at home is stable".

For example, efforts by lower-ranking officials to negotiate
peace in Aceh are floundering; they have called a meeting, but so
far Aceh representatives say they won't attend.

Nothing irreparable has happened. Abdurrahman ascension to
high office is still considered the best of all feasible
outcomes.

With his great moral influence and folksy manner, the chief
executive known to all as Gus Dur may yet persuade the Aceh
rebels to settle down, the generals to accept orders from
civilians and businessmen to bring home their offshore billions.

However, making any of this happen will be extremely difficult
if the President is on another aircraft heading somewhere else.

-- The South China Morning Post, Hong Kong