Scholar Jackson possible new U.S. envoy to RI

JAKARTA (JP): A United States government official said in New York on Thursday that Karl D. Jackson has been nominated to replace U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Robert S. Gelbard.

Jackson was nominated by former U.S. ambassador to Indonesia Paul Wolfowitz, who has been named deputy secretary of defense in the Bush administration, the official, who declined to be identified, told Antara.

The official added that Jackson has a wider understanding and knowledge of Indonesian culture and tradition than Gelbard.

Wolfowitz is dean of the Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University, and Jackson is the director of Southeast Asian Studies at SAIS.

"If State Secretary Colin Powell does not mention another candidate, Professor Jackson will very much likely be appointed to replace Ambassador Gelbard," the official said.

Jackson is regarded as an Indonesianist who also has studied Cambodia, Thailand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

At SAIS he teaches classes on Indonesia's political behavior, as well as the rise and fall of former presidents Sukarno and Soeharto.

His books on Indonesia, including Political Power and Communications in Indonesia (1978) and Traditional Authority, Islam and Rebellion: A Study of Indonesian Political Behavior (1980), are used as textbooks at the graduate school.

"Professor Jackson's knowledge of the history, political behavior and Islamic movements of Indonesia will be supportive of his assignment in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country and a country in transition," said the official.

Given his knowledge and understanding of Indonesia, Jackson, if his nomination is approved, is expected to bring with him a different style and attitude from Gelbard, whose approach led several leading Indonesians to openly criticize him.

As a person who knows much about Indonesia and has relatively close relations with Indonesian diplomats in Washington D.C., Jackson will take a different approach, the official said, adding that this would be positive for Jakarta.

His placement in Jakarta would also be a new momentum for the two countries to strengthen their ties, he added.

Asked when Jackson would come to Jakarta, the official speculated that it would be three to four months because his assignment as ambassador must first be approved by the Senate.(mds)