U.S.-RI relations

It is rather amusing that the U.S. State Department spokesman, Nicholas Burns, is annoyed at some American diplomats in Jakarta, who have been quoted anonymously in published reports as criticizing their political masters in Washington regarding the current drift of U.S.-Indonesia relations.

Burns said that if the anonymous diplomats could be identified, "they should be reprimanded". But he said that despite the differences, the U.S. government remained engaged with Indonesia on issues such as arms control, peacekeeping in the Southeast Asia region, and the APEC forum.

Indonesia canceled the purchase of F-16 fighters from the U.S. and pulled out from the IMET military training program following months of congressional carping on human rights. The vice president of the U.S. Aerospace Industries Association, Joel Johnson, said that congress' constant criticism of Indonesia was "just one more example of how we insult our customers, leaving the competition looking better as a result".

Indonesia has moved quickly to find alternatives to U.S. fighter aircraft. It sent a large delegation to the Paris Air Show, and The Jakarta Post reported that Indonesian government officials are seriously looking into the possibility of buying Russian military hardware.

The U.S. lawmaker most determined to punish Indonesia over East Timor, Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy of Rhode Island, claims that the present situation is "just the launching point for further action against Indonesia". But Indonesian officials have warned that any attempts at further arm-twisting by Congress could backfire.

Privately, I suspect that Congressman Kennedy is actually hoping to launch his future political career. A quick look at a reference book will show us that Rhode Island's original Yankee stock was rapidly replaced in the 20th century by among others, people of Portuguese descent. Proud of heritage, people often vote according to ethnic-based emotion.

Congressman Kennedy visited Indonesia last December. Understanding little of Indonesia's history as a whole, he was only interested in visiting one province. I am sure that U.S. Embassy officials dutifully showed him around, as those are their orders.

I am also sure that many diplomats would find it easier to host, say, a visiting cardinal than a visiting U.S. Congressman. But to respect a cardinal, you only need to kiss his ring.

FARID BASKORO

Jakarta