The impact of attack on Iraq

The impact of attack on Iraq

Economic and social observers, and political elites in
Indonesia have been discussing the possible impact of the U.S.-
led attack on Iraq.

The domestic tourist industry, which had just recently been
crawling back up from its collapse since the Bali bombing last
year, is again sliding due to the war. Exports of several
commodities to Middle Eastern countries have been disturbed and
sending overseas domestic workers has had to be halted, or at
least minimized.

As the war is expected to go on longer than it had been
predicted, the oil price has also been fluctuating. The price
dropped in the early days of the attack, and has increased
recently.

Meanwhile, investors have been waiting for the right time to
invest their money in Indonesia.

Several businesses have already suffered mildly from the
unrest, with some McDonald's outlets outside Jakarta being closed
down by anti-America groups. McDonald's outlets in Jakarta are
still open, but a group of people recently intimidated its
customers, forcing them to condemn U.S. President George W. Bush.
Non-nationals traveling by taxi were accosted and intimidated.
Fortunately, the police stopped and arrested several of those
responsible.

People's anger against the U.S. and its allies is
understandable, but expressing anger in such a way is absolutely
unacceptable.

-- Warta Kota, Jakarta