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