Vulnerability in Diversity

President Soeharto has said preserving unity in the multi- cultural society of Indonesia is a major task of strategic importance. Every citizen and group of citizens in the country ought to be aware of the vulnerability that is inherent in our diversity.

Indonesia is made up of thousands of islands, each with varying cultural structures. If the many different tribes, religions and socio-cultural backgrounds become divided by a single, or unified, view it would pose a great danger to the unity of the nation.

In the geographic context, Indonesia is positioned strategically between two continents and two oceans. This position brings global difficulties to our doorstep.

We must always be conscious of the sensitivity of our nation's pluralistic condition, especially in reference to our strategic location in the global setting which makes us susceptible to external pulls. As citizens of this culturally diverse nation, we must be wise in facing the challenges posed.

We must keep in mind that because as a people we are so different from one another, we may not all define openness in the same way. As Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said recently, openness has a context, and we must be careful not to speak out just to be heard.

Therefore, we wish to underscore President Soeharto's observation that this nation can survive only if its people have a strong spirit of nationalism.

-- Suara Pembaruan, Jakarta