While Indonesia was in a confusion as to finding an

While Indonesia was in a confusion as to finding an alternative to its cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), came some good news from the United States on Wednesday.

The news, in fact, has nothing to do with the IMF but Indonesia can probably take it into consideration in deciding the best possible way to achieve economic recovery.

It came to light that Federal Reserve chairman, Alan Greenspan, has told the U.S. Congress that the central bank would keep its interest rate at a low level to determine the pace of US economic development, in an attempt to stem deflation.

The central bank predicted that U.S. economic growth next year would rise to 4.25 percent from 1.4 percent this year.

It means that U.S. demand for Indonesian-made goods could increase, and domestic production and the service sectors could be stimulated.

A similar good news should also come from Indonesia itself. Its central bank should remain consistent in its monetary policy.

Thus, Bank Indonesia and other major Indonesian banks should lead the lowering of interest rates, so as not to disadvantage themselves.

Based on the good news from the US, the Indonesian government should have the courage to say goodbye to the IMF.

However, according to State Minister for National Development Planning Kwik Kian Gie, the government is likely to opt for "post-program monitoring." -- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta

American troops and Liberia

President Bush is right to be hesitant about sending American troops to Liberia. ...

Other nations in the region have pledged to send 3,000 troops, if they are accompanied by 2,000 American soldiers. They argue that the U.S. has a unique interest in Liberia, since it was founded 150 years ago by former American slaves. Until Taylor took power in 1997, the U.S. had close relations with the nation. American soldiers would add credibility and professionalism to the peacekeepers.

While all true, we still have our doubts. The United States can't be the world's policeman. We already have 150,000 troops in Iraq, 10,000 in Afghanistan and several thousand in Bosnia. Our military is stretched thin. ...

It is difficult to stand by and watch innocent people die in an unending civil war. The humanitarian reasons for intervention are powerful, but the U.S. can only do so much.

-- Journal Star, Peoria, Illinois

Relations between the U.S. and Africa

The demands by U.S. President George W. Bush for a certain level of democracy as a condition for economic aid should be copied by more countries.

The biggest contribution by the United States and the western world would, however, be to open their domestic markets to African goods, instead of increasing aid. Bush has a chance to do that, but unfortunately, these discussions will probably be overshadowed by the more acute crisis in Liberia.

Even from inside Liberia, there are appeals for a peacekeeping force from the United States.

If an intervention is supported by the Liberian people, Bush should consider such a force.

This would be an important effort for Africa's cause.

-- Svenska Dagbladet, Stockholm, Sweden