U.S. ambassador in Jakarta ruffles feathers again

U.S. ambassador in Jakarta ruffles feathers again

JAKARTA (JP): Once again the United States Ambassador Robert
Gelbard has ruffled feathers, with one senior Indonesia
legislator demanding the foreign ministry summon the American
ambassador for his "inappropriate comments".

The head of the House of Representatives Commission I for
security and foreign affairs Yasril Ananta Baharuddin said in New
York on Saturday that Gelbard's comments had gone too far and had
intruded in Indonesia's domestic affairs.

"The House's Commission I has repeatedly asked the government
to summon U.S. Ambassador Gelbard," Yasril, who was in New York
to attend an Inter-Parliamentary Union conference, was quoted by
Antara as saying.

The latest uproar came when Gelbard, in an interview with the
Washington Times which was published on Aug. 29, alleged that
foreign terrorist groups were trying to "burrow in and implant"
themselves in Indonesia while the country's security forces
wasted their time demonizing the United States.

"Indonesia's so-called intelligence agencies have continued to
try to argue that the real enemies in Indonesia are the United
States and Australia as opposed to, once again, looking at...the
real potential threat to their national security," Gelbard said
in the interview.

The ambassador also bluntly criticized some members of
Abdurrahman's Cabinet saying that their appointment was shocking,
singling out State Minister for the Environment Sonny Keraf.

A number of ministers from the outgoing Cabinet "had American
companies very much in their crosshairs," Gelbard was quoted as
saying. "Some of them, unfortunately, appear still to be in the
Cabinet".

"It is shocking to me that the minister of environment will
stay on, for example. [He] has focused virtually only on
criticism of American companies and has done virtually nothing to
deal with the problems, the real, most important environmental
problems which affect Indonesia."

This is not the first time Gelbard has upset Indonesian
officials and legislators.

In October last year, People's Consultative Assembly Speaker
Amien Rais was fuming following the U.S. ambassador's
"suggestions" on the possible lineup of key government posts.

"I really don't like the methods used by that superpower
nation's ambassador," Amien said at the time.

Yasril on Saturday said that the foreign ministry should have
given Gelbard repeated written warnings about his controversial
behavior.

"As a representative of the Indonesia people, I will be
extremely saddened if the foreign ministry turns out to be afraid
of Gelbard," he remarked.

Following the latest incident, Yasril asserted that there
should be no excuse for the foreign ministry not to summon
Gelbard.

"His (Gelbard's) clarification should be explained by the
foreign ministry to Commission I in its next hearing," he said
adding that a diplomat accredited to a nation does not have the
right to comment or intervene on issues of that country.

Yasril confirmed talks in many circles that many had been
suspicious of Gelbard from the start.

"Some say he's too aggressive, arrogant, playing for the
interest of the United States without any sensitivity to
Indonesia," he said adding that "please tell Ambassador Gelbard
that it is not the government who is saying this, but a
representative of the Indonesian people".

Yasril then reminded his colleagues at the foreign ministry to
faithfully adhere to the conventions which apply to diplomatic
protocol.

"You know, if there is a diplomat who intervenes in a
country's domestic affairs, that country has a right to expel
him," he remarked.

Yasril further pointed out that the House under the amended
constitution has a greater say in foreign affairs, including the
acceptance of foreign ambassadors.

As an example he cited that the government had submitted
Australia's new nominee for their ambassador to Jakarta.

"Up to now we have not agreed because there are still certain
things which need to be considered.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab when asked The Jakarta
Post replied that if necessary he could summon the U.S.
Ambassador to get clarification.

Alwi remarked that thus far he preferred resolving such issues
through a "friendly discussion" rather than a more confrontative
approach.

Alwi also said that it was a matter of opinion if Gelbard's
actions could be considered as intervention.

Nevertheless he conceded that Gelbard should be more sensitive
to Indonesia's concerns.

"He should learn about the psychology of Indonesians. Though
he might have good intentions, if he doesn't understand the
culture it could be misinterpreted," Alwi said.

Criticism of Ambassador Gelbard's style was also published in
the Washington Times in its Saturday edition, quoting American
analysts as saying that "Mr. Gelbard's tough-talking style --
honed as an anti-narcotics officer and special envoy to the
Balkans -- was less effective in Indonesia, where subtlety and
politeness are expected from diplomats".

The newspaper quoted one analyst as saying that from the
beginning U.S. businessmen in Indonesia had quietly opposed the
appointment of Mr. Gelbard, who was seen as close to U.S.
Ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke and to
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

The analyst, who declined to be identified, said businessmen
feared that Gelbard and Albright might be making unreasonable
demands of a fragile civilian government that is struggling to
take root after 30 years of former president Soeharto's rule.

The newspaper further reported the analyst as saying that
Gelbard was seen recently "jabbing his finger into the chest" of
a senior Javanese official in Jakarta, noting that such behavior
is considered deeply offensive. (dja/mds)