RI ties with U.S. in nation' interest: Ministers

RI ties with U.S. in nation' interest: Ministers

Despite mounting public pressure from small, vocal groups for
the government to sever ties with the United States, the
government said on Wednesday that it would maintain good
relations with the U.S. and its allies.

Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra told
journalists in Jakarta that the government would watch closely
the U.S.-led military attacks on Afghanistan but would by no
means consider the U.S. an enemy.

"Indonesia will push the United Nations and the Organization
of Islamic Conference to intervene and resolve the Afghan
crisis," he said.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security
Affairs Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono echoed a similar view, urging
the public at large not to be emotional.

"I call on all Indonesian citizens not to be carried away by
our emotions in deciding a very fundamental issue, including our
relations with the international community," Soesilo told the
press after speaking before military officers on Wednesday.

The two ministers were reacting to mounting public pressures,
from militant Muslim groups, for Indonesia to cut ties with the
U.S. in protest of its air strikes against the Taliban which the
U.S. accuses of harboring suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden,
the main suspect in the Sept. 11 attacks which killed over 6,000
civilians from over 60 countries.

Immediately after the U.S. and Britain bombed Taliban military
targets and terrorist training camps on Sunday evening, the
Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) urged the administration of
President Megawati Soekarnoputri to cut relations with the U.S.

The call has received limited support from students and
militant groups which have staged daily protests against the
United States since Monday and issued a series of ultimatums.

Soesilo emphasized that the decision to keep good relations
with the United States was taken after carefully considered
deliberations among high-ranking government officials.

"We must take into account the fundamental interests of the
nation and our people," Soesilo emphasized.

Hasyim Muzadi, chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country's
largest Muslim organization, also opposed calls for Indonesia to
cut ties with the U.S., arguing that such a move would only hurt
Indonesia and its standing in the international community.

"We should not damage ourselves for the sake of solidarity...
solidarity with the Muslims in Afghanistan must not sacrifice our
national interests," he said.

Hasyim said Indonesia is not ready to cut ties with the U.S.
as many national interests are linked to America.

"Moral support to Afghanistan is okay, but if Indonesia has to
cut ties with the U.S., it is too premature as we have many
interests that are related to America," he said.

Former president Abdurrahman Wahid also expressed his
abhorrence over the calls to cut ties with the U.S., but he
criticized the government's stance which, according to him, did
not air any criticism against the U.S.

"I think it [cutting ties] is too strong. It is enough for us
to condemn unfair actions against Afghanistan, however it does
seem that the government is afraid of the U.S.," Abdurrahman was
quoted by Antara as saying in Surabaya, East Java.

Abdurrahman said the U.S. must be criticized if it commits
unfair actions, violates international laws, or takes action that
is not democratic.

"If we are just silent, they may think that we agree with
their actions," said Abdurrahman, who is also chairman of the
patron council of the National Awakening Party (PKB).

Rizal Mallarangeng, an analyst associated with the Center for
Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said on Tuesday that
cutting ties with the U.S. is unrealistic for Indonesia as it is
not in the national interest.

"Cutting ties with the U.S. is ridiculous and it is consistent
with our national interest," he said.

Meanwhile, legislators from Commission I, which is in charge
of foreign affairs, on Wednesday disagreed with the rising
demands from groups in society to sever ties with the United
States.

Commission Chairman Ibrahim Ambong said the commission would
monitor the foreign policy to be made by the government.

"We have a plan in the works. We will not recommend the
government to sever diplomatic ties. We are optimistic that there
will be a solution to the Afghan crisis," he said.

Deputy commission chairman Isaac Latuconsina concurred and
said the demand to cut ties with the U.S. was too extreme and not
a representative view of the majority of Indonesians.