Scholar Jackson possible new U.S. envoy to RI
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)