Powell told to trust in RI's moderate Muslims

Berni K. Moestafa and Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Prominent Muslim figures here told U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell that supporting Indonesia's majority of moderate Muslims was the best way to counter terrorism, instead of using military means.

Following a meeting on Friday between Powell and some of the country's top Muslim figures, Nadhlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi said Indonesia's vast moderate Muslim population was a bulwark against radicalism here.

"It's OK to be cautious (of terrorism) but there is no need for too much concern," said Hasyim, who leads the country's largest Muslim organization.

The 45-minute meeting took place at the residence of U.S. Ambassador Ralph Boyce. Also attending the meeting were Syafii Maarif of the country's second largest Muslim organization Muhammadiyah, Muslim scholars Nurcholish Madjid and Azyumardi Azra, and popular preacher Abdullah Gymnastiar.

Hasyim said he had explained to Powell that radical groups were not only a minority, but also had little to do with Islam itself despite their appearance.

He attributed the rise of radicals more to social tensions that followed the 1998 economic and political crisis.

Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim population, most of whom are of moderate leaning. Islamic radical groups, however, have grabbed public attention with their noisy street rallies, many of which have been directed against the U.S.

Communal violence, often with a religious undertone, added an impetus to the rise of radicalism.

Hasyim emphasized that these conflicts and the radical group involved in them were a domestic phenomenon with little relation to international terrorist networks the U.S. campaigned against.

"Don't internationalize it. Unless the U.S. has evidence these domestic conflicts have become international and are threatening it," he added.

As to members of international terrorist groups operating in Indonesia, he said, the better approach was by working with international intelligence agencies rather Muslim organizations.

Muslim scholar Nurcholish said Powell admitted the U.S. had difficulties identifying local radicals from international ones operating in Indonesia.

NU and Muhammadiyah are both known for their moderate stance, and represent together some 70 million Muslims in a country of 210 million people.

Hasyim said the U.S. should not simply wish Indonesia's moderate Muslims to grow but also do something to help them grow.

"There are (people) who fund the radicals, but who is funding the moderates?" he said, referring to suspicion among some that certain elements within the military support radical groups like the Laskar Jihad and the Islam Defenders Front (FPI).

If the U.S. wants to help, he said, it should focus more on raising awareness, education and cultural-oriented programs.

Providing the Indonesian Military with new arsenals and other equipment, for instance, is ineffective in curbing the radicals here, according to him.

"Those groups who some accuse of being radicals are actually still open to dialog," he said. "So don't commit violence against them, because if we do they will strengthen their resistance."

Powell is touring several Southeast Asian countries to promote the U.S. war against terrorism.

In his visit he promised Indonesia US$50 million in aid to improve its security force's capability in helping the U.S. war against world terrorism.

Indonesia is no stranger to terrorist acts, having witnessed a string of bomb explosions in Jakarta and in conflict-prone regions. The police have so far had little success in bringing the perpetuators to justice, and few believe the blasts were linked to international terrorist groups.

Singapore, however, branded Indonesia a hotbed of terrorism and charged the latter of foot dragging in arresting individuals the island-state suspected of terrorism.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri, during a visit to the United States, promised Washington support in the war against terrorism. She was the first president to visit Washington following last year's Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that prompted the U.S. campaign against terror.

But analysts said she must walk a fine line to avoid a backlash from Muslim radicals.

Prior to Powell's visit, U.S. President George W. Bush called up Megawati to express his gratitude for Indonesia's cooperation.

"Pak Powell expressed a sincere understanding of our problems and appreciation that Indonesia is the largest Muslim country yet at the same time a diverse and democratic nation," said Nurcholish.

He said Powell was told that Indonesia's flagging democracy meant the country faced a host of other immediate problems.

"We insisted that this is a very difficult transition. We are challenged with a most difficult task, which is to uphold the law," he said.