Society doing its bit in U.S.-RI ties
Society doing its bit in U.S.-RI ties
Yenni Djahidin, Contributor, Washington
The United States-Indonesia Society (USINDO) has been acting
like the second embassy for Indonesia in Washington since its
founding nearly 10 years ago.
Founded by former U.S. ambassador to Indonesia Ed Masters,
this not-profit organization has various forum to promote
Indonesia. It regularly sends congressional staff delegation to
Indonesia offers fellowships for scholars, and brings Indonesian
public figures here to inform Americans.
USINDO current president, Paul Cleveland, is no stranger to
Indonesia. In his 37-year career as a diplomat, he served in
Jakarta in 1965-1968, besides in Malaysia as an ambassador, New
Zealand and Western Samoa.
Cleveland recently received the writer in his office filled
with furniture and wall decorations from Indonesia, to talk about
the U.S.-Indonesia relations and USINDO's role. Excerpts follow:
Question: How do you see the current relations between U.S.-
Indonesia?
Answer: We have had a good relationship particularly since the
new era in Indonesia. We're very much encouraged that Indonesia
has become a democracy. We are trying to help Indonesia as best
we can. I have some real hope that the U.S. would be able to help
even more in the future.
What kind of help are you offering?
Just as the U.S. assisted Indonesia in the late 1960s and
early 1970s to move in the direction of free, private enterprise
and open market economy, now it is necessary to help Indonesia
establish democracy. The U.S. can help through its aid programs,
and through providing its experience. We are the oldest democracy
in the world, so we've had some experience in knowing how
complicated it is. Through American and Indonesian NGOs, we're
providing a lot of assistance. I'm amazed at how readily
Indonesians accept advice. They don't always follow it, of
course, but they seem to be very open to advice, suggestions.
But they don't necessarily do it.
Accepting advice and actually working hard to carry it out are
different things. But by and large, it's been amazing how far
Indonesia has come in the last few years in developing democratic
institutions. For example, the amendments that have just been
passed by parliament are quite remarkable. They changed
Indonesia's government very substantially into a democracy that
is responsible to the people. Sovereignty now rests in the
Indonesian people. They have set up a system of checks and
balances which are not dissimilar to the system we have. I think
that is a remarkable step forward.
Especially if they do it.
Well, that's the next question. Will they do it? Indonesia has
to. They passed constitutional amendments. They now have to pass
laws to implement those amendments. But on the basis of past
experience, the chances of them passing good laws to carry these
measures out are quite good.
How do you explain to the American audience about reports
alleging the presence of al-Qaeda network in Indonesia, and about
the recent acquittals of Indonesian military officers from
charges of human rights violations in East Timor?
We don't explain ourselves as much as we bring Indonesians and
or Americans to our forum and let them explain.
On terrorism, I would say Indonesia is a very large and
extremely complicated country with 17,000 islands. It's not easy
to find out what may exist in the way of terrorism or terrorists
in Indonesia. The evidence is hard to come by.
Indonesia has been cooperative with the United States in
carrying out anti-terrorist efforts. We both have to be very
careful: In Indonesia for domestic, political reasons; in the
U.S., we must not appear to be imposing Indonesian sovereignty in
any way, shape, or form.
Extreme Muslims are quick and clever at exploiting anti-
American feelings, and if we're too forceful or too aggressive in
pressing and be seen to press Indonesia, then that can be used
against out mutual interests. I think we are handling that
reasonably well and working together in a cooperative way.
On the human rights trials, they have been disappointing, to
the international community but also to a great many Indonesians
with whom I talked. The evidence gathered by the international
community, the UN and so on, was not fully used by the
prosecution.
When you promote Indonesia, who is your target audience?
We want to reach to two groups: People within the U.S.
government; not only the administration, but Congress as well,
who are actually making policy and/or recommending policy.
The other are opinion holders, for example, certain newspapers
and NGOs who have a lot of influence on what's going on in
Indonesia.
How does the American business community see Indonesia now?
With a great longing, but not so great as to be pouring money
in there. There are a variety of reasons American major
businesses are reluctant to invest in Indonesia. There have been
a lot of problems in the courts, and the Manulife case is only
one example. Manulife is coming out all right, but there is
another one, the Karaha Bodas case (of the U.S.-based independent
power producer) which is still is underway.
Beyond that, the general atmosphere on the judicial side, the
widely-recognized corruption, the costs of doing business as a
result of those kinds of things, and also security
problems that exist in various parts. ... There are certainly
great parts of Indonesia that are quite secure, but in some
places like Aceh, Papua and the Maluku, there are concerns.
Also ... we'd just like to see some progress and further
stabilization, before (American business people) come back in.
What changes do you want to see in Indonesia?
The same changes that most Indonesians would like to see:
Further development and strengthening of the democratic political
system and the actual strengthening of the court system. And the
gradual -- I say gradual because I just don't think it's
realistic to think that corruption is going to be wiped out
tomorrow -- eradication of corruption is certainly very high on
the list.
But there is another issue which Indonesians themselves
recognize: The decentralization process, which is highly
commendable and necessary, and which USINDO has done a fair
amount to broadcast here. That needs to be sorted out, and that's
going to take time.
The election process in 2004 and beyond is in the process of
being strengthened, but continuing work on that is necessary.
Continuing reform of the military, continuing effort to turn
internal domestic security responsibility to the police that are
capable. At the present time, the police are not. I think they
would say themselves not really fully capable.
But there are all kinds of things that have to be done to
establish a democracy.
Having said all that, I would go back to my original statement
that I think Indonesia has done remarkably well, has come
remarkably far, much further than, I think, is recognized in
establishing democratic institutions. It's encouraging, but
there's a lot still to do.
What can USINDO do to help?
Don't underestimate the importance of the power of
information, transparency in the democracy. They are absolutely
essential. These are things that the USINDO is trying to provide:
Transparency and openness. What are the real issues in Indonesia,
and try to explain them to Americans that they have a better
understanding and therefore can provide a better advice or more
kind of well targeted assistance to help.
Understanding and wisdom are the first steps to really running
and operating an effective democracy.