Statesmanship needed

Statesmanship needed

Various groups have been expressing their observations and
opinions on recent developments in our nation. Among the most
notable is House Speaker Wahono, who gave an address on Friday at
the closing of the current session.

The observations and views that have been expressed have many
points in common. They agree that we are going through a period
of great change that has produced situations that we are not
entirely prepared to handle.

A critical condition could come about with so many changes
occurring at the same time. People are becoming more critical,
especially as domestic developments coincide with a growing
stream of outside information.

We are in the middle of a generational transition. Competition
exist between the forces in society and the government and its
bureaucracy. We are in a period of national leadership that is
undergoing its natural cycle due to the factor of age.

What is the proper vision, attitude or approach to face these
conditions? Should we take a political approach or one of
statesmanship? Should we act for ourselves on the basis of narrow
considerations or act together on a more expansive base inspired
by the views and principles of the Indonesian state?

How will these various groups respond to this common
challenge? Will they take a political approach based on tactics,
intrigue and power plays? Or will they apply the wisdom of
statesmanship with an open attitude and willingness to listen,
which would give a greater sense of security and justice to all?

-- Kompas, Jakarta

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ANPAk..r..
Other-Netanyahu-Gazette
Netanyahu Egyptian visit
JP/4/OTHER1

Netanyahu's Egyptian visit

Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu's statement in Cairo
was undoubtedly received with relief in Arab countries. Some
Arabs, though, are still cautious about the man's true
intentions.

Netanyahu angered Arab leaders during the May election
campaign when he rejected the formula of land-for-peace. But the
Israeli premier declared in Cairo: "We will keep our
commitments". This declaration in particular will provide a
favorable atmosphere for the peace process.

Observers argue that Netanyahu's declaration in Cairo appears
to be a step back from the tough approach he maintained during
his first official visit to the United States (in June).

Actually, this is not a step back. Netanyahu spoke his mind in
Cairo after he realized that peace is a strategic option for all
partners, including the Israelis.

He may also have realized that a tragedy will ensue if any
partner takes a step back. There is plenty of evidence that peace
is the only guarantee for anyone's security.

-- The Egyptian Gazette, Cairo

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ANPAk..r..
Other-Bosnia-Times
Thank Holbrooke for Bosnian deal
JP/4/OTHER2

Thank Holbrooke for Bosnian deal

Credit Richard Holbrooke with getting closer than anyone else
has to protecting Bosnia's election from manipulation by Dr.
Radovan Karadzic, the Bosnian Serb leader indicted for war
crimes.

Holbrooke, a veteran diplomat and architect of the Dayton
peace agreement that ended the Bosnian war, returned from private
life on a special assignment from President Clinton. To back up
his persuasion, Holbrooke carried threats to ban Karadzic's party
from participating in the elections and to reimpose economic
sanctions on Serbia.

The American diplomat's unconventional mix of bullying and
charm seems to be especially effective with Slobodan Milosevic,
Serbia's president and the key to this agreement. At Holbrooke's
behest, Milosevic extracted from Karadzic a signed agreement to
resign from all official positions and withdraw from public life.

Karadzic has broken agreements before. But Washington promises
that his latest pledge will be monitored. The Bosnian government,
frequently at the receiving end of Karadzic's duplicity in the
past, accepts this new agreement as good enough to justify going
ahead with the election campaign.

Holbrooke's mission showed how much can be achieved by
muscular diplomacy, without the need to call on military force,
and even with several European countries expressing doubts about
renewing economic sanctions on Serbia. That lesson should be well
digested by those like the chief European official in Bosnia,
Carl Bildt, who have been willing to settle for much less from
Milosevic and Karadzic.

What Holbrooke was not able to achieve at this time was to
arrange Karadzic's departure from Bosnia, let alone deliver him
to the war crimes tribunal in The Hague to stand trial for his
role in the massacre of Muslim civilians in Srebrenica and other
atrocities during the 44-month Bosnian war. Meanwhile, those who
will be taking over Karadzic's duties as president of the Bosnian
Serb region and head of its powerful ruling party are considered
his political puppets and share his hard-line separatist views.

But if Karadzic does keep his word, the Dayton peace agreement
can proceed according to its originally agreed timetable. His
separatist party may capture most of the seats in Serbian areas
of Bosnia, but it presumably will not be allowed to get away with
intimidating more conciliatory candidates or driving them from
the race. In December, when NATO troops are scheduled to
withdraw, Bosnia will not be whole, but it will be at peace, with
the possibility of reunification at a later date preserved.

That is less than many Americans would want. But it
corresponds precisely to the deal Holbrooke hammered out in
Dayton last year. His diplomatic mission last week keeps that
deal on track.

-- The New York Times