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)