U.S. to give new impetus to ties with Indonesia: Envoy

U.S. to give new impetus to ties with Indonesia: Envoy

Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta post, Jakarta

With its huge population and dynamic economies, Asia is
increasingly poised to become the new strategic center of gravity
in global politics, and Indonesia, a Southeast Asian regional
power, has a big role to play in that set up.

The recently held presidential election, which was praised as
being free and fair, added a new dimension to its stature in
international politics.

That is why the U.S., the world's only superpower, is going to
give Indonesia -- the second biggest nation in East Asia -- a
much better place in its foreign policy calculations.

"There will be a new impetus in U.S. foreign policy toward
Indonesia when President George W. Bush's second term begins
early next year," the new U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, B. Lynn
Pascoe, told The Jakarta Post in a separate interview at his
office in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Ambassador Pascoe, who submitted his credentials to Indonesian
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Oct. 28, said that it would
take some time to see the impact of this new impetus.

Susilo and Bush laid the foundations for future relations when
they met in Santiago, Chile, during the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation meeting in November 2004.

Indonesia has been an important partner in the U.S.' global
war against terror since 2001, although Jakarta fiercely opposes
Washington's policies on Iraq and the Middle East.

The Bush administration is determined to help Indonesia's
infant democracy grow, said Pascoe.

"The main objective of my mission is to see how the U.S. can
help Indonesia progress. Because, if Indonesia progresses, the
system moves forward, and it will have an impact on our bilateral
relations," said Pascoe, a veteran diplomat who served in various
positions in Malaysia, Taiwan, Russia, Hong Kong and Thailand
during his more than 35 years of distinguished service.

The U.S. has been giving US$160 million per year to Indonesia
as aid.

"We want to strengthen Indonesia's institutions in sectors
like education, health and human resources. We also want to help
the Indonesian police through assistance and training," Pascoe,
who speaks fluent Mandarin and understands a little Bahasa
Indonesia, said during his first encounter with Indonesian media
on Tuesday.

He said the U.S. wants to see Indonesia, a large, moderate and
democratic country, develop its institutions and prosper.

During his stay in Jakarta, perhaps, Pascoe will face a litmus
test in some areas.

Anti-Americanism is very high in Indonesia because of the
U.S.' Iraq policy. It is going to be a tough task for the new
ambassador in Indonesia, which is home to the largest Muslim
population in the world.

But Pascoe, a master in the art of diplomacy, is confident
that he can improve the situation.

"I will talk to as many people as possible. Just now I talked
to Indonesian media people. I directly say what I believe in. But
what is important is to make it quite clear when you are talking
(to Indonesians) that there is no hidden agenda on the U.S.
side," Pascoe said, while adding that he was very much impressed
by the hospitality and friendship extended to him during his two
months' stay in Jakarta.

Indonesia and the U.S. have some problems in the defense
sector. The U.S. government imposed a military embargo on
Indonesia after Indonesia's military personnel were allegedly
involved in East Timor's mayhem, in which at least 1,400 people
were killed, in September 1999.

The Bush administration had hoped to resume military
cooperation but the U.S. Congress is reluctant to give its
approval for the removal of the embargo.

"Hundreds of people were killed in East Timor. The U.S.
Congress says there should be some accountability. the Indonesian
foreign minister and the East Timorese foreign minister are now
at the United Nations to resolve human rights cases. Let's see
how it develops," Pascoe said.

While responding to a question on U.S. investment, Pascoe said
Indonesia must create a conducive investment climate.

"There should be sanctity of the contract," Pascoe said.

He also said that foreign investment in Indonesia had been on
the decline in recent years. Moreover, people are scared after
seeing investors jailed without proper investigations.

"American investors were detained without a proper judicial
process, like in the Newmont case. It will scare investors,"
Pascoe, who has two daughters and two granddaughters, said.

U.S. companies have so far invested over $7.5 billion in
Indonesia. This year until October 2004, approved U.S.
investments in Indonesia reached $125.2 million.

Pascoe emphasized that Indonesia has huge potential because of
its abundant natural resources, infrastructure and quality human
resources. Several U.S. investors are very much interested in
investing in Indonesia, but, for that to happen, the government
must send the right signals out to investors.