Sideshows fail to boost Summit hype

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

If the taste of a main course is determined by its appetizers, then the 2005 Asian-African Summit is in trouble. The series of events which preceded the Summit apparently did not whet the appetite of ordinary Jakartans, or, quite probably, the international delegations.

The view in the Asian-Africa Symposium on Renewable Energy, Asian-African Trade Fair and a workshop on the role of women and youth aimed at furthering regional cooperation, have not aroused the feeling that Jakarta is hosting an international event.

Javaid Shaheen of the Pakistani Embassy's handicraft promotion, who participated in the Trade Fair, regretted the "minimal" participation of foreign countries.

The Trade Fair had only eight foreign country participants: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Egypt, Laos, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The remaining booths were filled with state-owned firms, and those representing the National Police and Indonesian Military (TNI).

Shaheen said that the short notice from organizers could have deterred countries from taking part in the fair. He received less than three weeks notice.

Organizers earlier announced that countries including Qatar, South Africa and Iraq would take part, but they pulled out at the last minute.

An official claimed that the event had averaged 1,000 visitors in one day, though the venue looked relatively vacant.

The symposium and exhibition on renewable energy, held in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, also failed to impress the visitors.

According to Lola, a visitor from South Jakarta, the two events in Kemayoran were not coordinated very well.

"It seems the organizers are not ready but force themselves to hold such events anyway. It is just disappointing," she said.

Meanwhile, at Tuesday's workshop on the role of women and youth held at the Hilton Hotel, papers were not readily available for the media, and foreign delegates were baffled by the limited seating.

A few Arab women looked confused and uncomfortable at having to sit together with men.

It can only be hoped that appetizers are not too important, considering the more than 60 heads of state from 106 countries may just want to dive into main course in any case, after a wait of 50 years.