U.S.-RI relations

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