On visit to Israel

On visit to Israel

Kamapradipta I.'s letter SBY's proposed side visit to Israel
(The Jakarta Post, July 23) in response to my article Susilo
should visit Israel too (July 19, page 6) only emphasizes my
point: The government of Indonesia, as befitting that of a nation
representing 235 million "overwhelmingly nationalistic and
secular" citizens has a duty to make it's views known directly,
face to face, in meetings and diplomatic exchanges, whether based
on Indonesia's position as a largely Muslim country expressing
support for Muslims (and Christians) in Palestine, or as a nation
advocating a policy of non-alignment, non-discrimination and the
basic rights of nations as expressed in the Declaration of the
New Asian-African Strategic Partnership. The absence of discourse
of any kind has not advanced anybody's position to date.

As regards Indonesia's past policies, it suffices to point to
the terrible occupation of East Timor which lasted close to 25
years and came to an end after continuous and, finally, forceful
engagement by the international community. It was this, in
conjunction with the economic crisis of 1998, that resulted in
president Habibie throwing in the towel and initiating
withdrawal.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would do his country and
its citizens, and the Palestinians and Israel, a great service by
reminding the Israelis, face to face as part of a serious and
considered diplomatic exchange, about what the prospects are for
countries that attempt to maintain occupations over populations
rightfully claiming self-determination in their own lands, be
they Muslims or Christians.

EMANUEL SHAHAF, Tel Aviv