'Settle domestic problems as well'

'Settle domestic problems as well'

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia, while continuing its campaign for a
more equitable international system, should not neglect improving
conditions at home, according to political scientist Juwono
Sudarsono.

In an increasingly complex and interdependent world, the
country must sort out the various predicaments it is facing, he
told The Jakarta Post.

Juwono, who is deputy governor of the National Resilience
Institute, said that there is an increasing linkage between
domestic performance and international politics.

"While striving for international justice, we should also
continuously correct the domestic situation," he said, adding
that these remedies should cover a wide range of issues from
politics and the economy to culture and the environment.

In the past few years, Indonesia has been persistently calling
for the restructuring of a global system which has become
increasingly detrimental to the developing and under-developed
countries of the world, he added.

The efforts were most notable during Indonesia's chairmanship
of the 113-nation Non-Aligned Movement from 1992 to 1995.

Juwono was speaking Wednesday evening after the launching of
his latest book, Surviving Globalization. Indonesia and the
World, which contains 27 thought provoking articles printed in
The Jakarta Post between 1987 and 1995.

The articles cover a wide spectrum of issues and lend insight
on many matters, both foreign and domestic.

Juwono notes that Indonesia itself is a big enough country to
apply its international system within its own borders.

He points out that many of the major problems of the world,
such as injustice, economic and information disparity between
people, ethnic tension, the environment and human rights, can
also be found within the country.

Though describing Indonesia as an "under-managed" country and
that the situational advantages which have helped boost
development in the last 30 years are declining, Juwono expressed
confidence that the country will continue to progress.

"I think we can still pull it off. Even though we are under-
qualified in many areas... we could always improvise," he said.

He also urged cooperation between the government, academia and
private sectors in all fields. (mds)