U.S. must be counterbalanced
U.S. must be counterbalanced
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia needs to strengthen its cooperation with countries in
Asia and other regions following the United States' victory in
the Iraq war, observers assert.
Noted Muslim scholar Nurcholish Madjid and foreign affairs
analyst Jusuf Wanandi said on Thursday the post-war period would
see U.S. domination in international politics and that concerted
efforts are needed to counterbalance it.
"A counterbalance is required, not because we consider the
Americans an evil power, but because it is important for the
world to have a check-and-balance," Nurcholish said at a seminar
held in conjunction with the 29th anniversary of Pelita daily.
He suggested that Indonesia work together with Asian
countries, European countries and other regional organizations to
form a balancing power.
"Just as in domestic politics, a single power dominating
global politics will be unfavorable in the future," Nurcholish
remarked.
Jusuf, from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies
(CSIS), also warned of Washington's growing dominance in the
region after the Iraq war.
The imminent problem in North Korea will open up an
opportunity for the U.S. to further seize power in Asia, said
Jusuf, which had to be avoided.
"We should not just sit down and let the U.S.' plan
materialize. We have to strengthen our cooperation with as many
countries as possible to counter the move," Jusuf said.
The anxiety of possible U.S. hegemony in the world has emerged
in many countries, as Washington had ignored the United Nations
before it attacked Iraq and has continued to take the leading
role in postwar Iraq.
Analysts have warned that the war in Iraq has set a precedent
for other unilateral, preemptive attacks by the U.S. on other
countries, with the world left sidelined.
Many countries have expressed concern regarding the nuclear
crisis in North Korea, which could be the U.S.' next target after
Iraq.
Jusuf said that the main reason for the U.S. attacking Iraq
was to eliminate any possibility of threats from the Middle East,
in light of its traumatic experience of the Sept. 11, 2001
terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.
The attacks had prompted Washington to establish an American-
style of democracy in the Middle East to eliminate the threats
against American interests all over the world, he said.
"It is a good thing that, regarding the North Korean issue,
the whole region shares the same opinion in rejecting the use of
force," Jusuf said, adding that this sense of unity should be
strengthened to prevent further U.S. domination in the region.