Two-faced U.S.

Two-faced U.S.

From Suara Karya

When the prointegration group in East Timor asked the Indonesian Military (TNI) to come and pay them a visit 23 years ago, many countries of the Western bloc, particularly the U.S., were very much in agreement. They even extended their help. The attitude was understandable because at the time the Western bloc countries were afraid of and allergic toward the danger of communism, in this case the Fretilin in East Timor.

At the time the U.S. praised us as a country concerned with the danger of communism. It was a thumbs-up for Indonesia because the U.S. appreciated our action.

Now, with the Cold War over, the U.S. all of a sudden is not moved to take joint responsibility. It even joined in the chorus to threaten Indonesia to leave East Timor. My goodness! Yesterday they implored us, today they chase us. What is behind it?

Apparently this is a test case for the double-standard attitude of the U.S. toward Indonesia. The results are very satisfactory, which has left our politicians apprehensive. Saddest is the accusation that Indonesia has violated human rights in East Timor. If the politicians had been prudent and observant, examples of American double standards were already clear in the Arab-Israel case, China-Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, etc.

It is too late now. This has been a most valuable lesson for politicians and the state's important decision makers.

KAMALUDDIN P.

Banyumas, Central Java