Selective nationalism

Selective nationalism

Indonesia's born-again nationalists burn the Australian
and American flags, but ironically no one is burning U.S.
banknotes. The self-proclaimed nationalists have not yet objected
to the continuing influx of IMF funds -- a phenomenon which will
do much more long-term harm to Indonesia's sovereignty than the
presence of a few thousand foreign peacekeeping volunteers in a
distant outpost.

Isn't the insistence by certain business classes (notably
landlords and consultants) on being paid in U.S. dollars instead
of in the country's legal currency a more contemptible affront to
national pride, and why does the country permit this? The so-
called nationalists would gain credibility and respect if they
would demonstrate against this preference for dollars and begging
for foreign aid that is ensured, if not designed, to keep
Indonesians enslaved by foreign governments and businesses.

DONNA K. WOODWARD

Medan, North Sumatra