Solving problem with cool head

Solving problem with cool head

I read with a sad heart the growing rift between two brothers,
both members of ASEAN. I am so proud of ASEAN, because this is an
organization based on brotherhood, love and understanding between
the members and is mutually beneficial.

Before the creation of ASEAN, Indonesia and Malaysia had a big
political problem which resulted in a serious confrontation. Even
though the political problem was bigger and more serious than the
hanging of Contemplacion, the two states managed to solve this
problem in an amicable way.

This ASEAN grouping is supposed to be an organization created
to reach closer cooperation and to solve internal problems
through negotiations. We should keep a cool head.

The latest news about the report submitted by Consul General
Elizabeth Buensuceso, that Contemplacion admitted to committing
the murders and never retracted her confession, could perhaps
create the right atmosphere for cooling down. I do not know how
this report will be interpreted by the Philippine government. But
one thing I hope is that after this everything can return to
normal.

Another thing I would like to point out is (not that other
people do not know) that I am sure that Singapore Court had not
sentenced a Filipino lady, but a lady who ha committed a double
murder. In this case it happened to be a Filipino. It could have
been a Singaporean, Malaysian or Indonesian. I am sure the same
law and standards would apply. I am also sure that the Singapore
Court issued this sentence based on enough evidence and witnesses
and the result of intensive interrogation.

Look at this case as the hanging of a guilty murderer. This is
purely a criminal case and not political. If by any chance
Contemplacion was wrongly sentenced to death, then as a religious
man I sincerely believe that she will go straight to heaven.
Surely a better place than anywhere in this world.

Foreign Minister Ali Alatas hopes that cooler heads will
prevail, and his counterpart Abdullah Ahmad Badawi from Malaysia
hopes no diplomatic break will happen and I (not that I pretend
to be on the same level as the Foreign Ministers) pray may God
give guidance to both countries.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta