RI-U.S. relations

RI-U.S. relations

A bright and successful U.S. ambassador once compared
Indonesia with the Philippines. He said that the people of the
Philippines asked for American intervention. Indonesia, on the
other, hand totally rejected any foreign intervention.

That comment has once again come to mind. In the wake of the
July 27 upheaval in Jakarta, some Americans have made critical
remarks against the Indonesian government.

As a self-confident nation we can accept the reality that
changes are taking place. Relations between nations, for example,
have become much more interdependent and much more intensive.
Economic and technological interdependence, for example, have
their affect on relations in the field of security and politics.
Every nation maintains it own identity and its national
objectives, which are shaped by history. At the same time, their
views, values and humanitarian responsibilities are assuming a
more shared character.

Departing from this reality of interdependence and common
accord, we are of the view that in every field all nations must
progress side by side. Because of this, discretion and a proper
approach are things that still have to be considered in the
social exchange and in the conveyance of well-meant criticism
among nations.

Those problems are likely to continue to affect Indonesian-
American relations in the days that are to come.

-- Kompas, Jakarta