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
;JP;HPR; 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
;JP;HPR; 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