U.S. to balance foreign policy objectives

U.S. to balance foreign policy objectives

JAKARTA (JP): Policy makers in Washington increasingly seem willing
to strike a balance between their push for human rights, democracy and
environmental protection and their often conflicting economic goals.

The Clinton administration is now searching for a good formula to
continue its human rights campaign without affecting U.S. economic and
trade ties with other countries, Indonesian Ambassador to the United
States Arifin M. Siregar said here on Thursday.

"We will see what President Bill Clinton will decide in June with
regard to China's Most Favored Nation (MFN) trading status," Arifin told
a business luncheon hosted by the U.S. Committee of the Indonesian
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).

The U.S. government has threatened to revoke China's MFN status
unless that country improves the protection of human rights. The U.S
will make its decision in June.

The American government, while taking a fairly tough outward stance,
is privately concerned about the big losses U.S. businessmen might
suffer if China's MFN status is not extended. Bilateral trade now
exceeds US$40 billion a year and China has been buying more from the
U.S. as its economy continues to grow robustly.

The change in the emphasis of American foreign policy objectives can
also be seen in a national export strategy that puts trade policy at the
leading edge of its foreign policy.

The U.S. administration also has threatened to revoke its Generalized
System of Preferences to Indonesia unless improvements are made in the
protection of workers rights. The review of the trade incentive was
postponed until August after an original February deadline was postponed
after Indonesia made some labor law changes.

"I am highly convinced that the U.S. government will extend the GSP
trading privilege in August," Arifin said.

Even though Indonesian exports under the scheme amount to about $640
million, 16 percent of total exports to the U.S., a stoppage of the
facility would have not only economic but also political impacts, he
said.

"The impacts will be enormous," he said in referring to the potential
damage of a U.S. decision to stop the GSP facility.

Arifin said apart from what he called "a minor fluctuation" such as
the issues over human rights and workers rights Indonesia-U.S. relations
are excellent.

"Indonesia is included in what the U.S. Department of Commerce calls
the big ten emerging markets towards which the U.S. will launch major
commercial initiatives," he added.

He continued that Indonesia needs to launch a more intensive campaign
to enlighten the American public, notably the Congress, of the mutual
benefits of good bilateral ties.

Arifin, a former trade minister who assumed his post in Washington
six months ago, acknowledged how inadequately informed American's are on
Indonesia.

"I think the second informal APEC summit meeting here in November
will be a good opportunity to show to the U.S. government the great
benefits both sides will reap from excellent relations," Arifin said.
(vin)

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