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American Indonesian
Chamber of Commerce
�for business and understanding�
Membership Ale Membership Alert�� ���� ��#1���
January 2, 2002
To: AICC Members
From: Wayne Forrest, Executive
Director
Recent comments by Ambassador Skip Boyce may herald a further easing of the
current U.S. State Department travel warnings early in 2002. Ambassador Boyce
will briefly be in Washington next week to conclude business he was unable to
when he took up his post sooner than expected. Thus, although he would
like to get to NY, he won't be able to do so.�
However, The United States-Indonesia Society (USINDO) is hosting
Ambassador on the morning of January 10 in DC. Call USINDO for details at
(202) 232-1400.
Speaking in an interview published in the Sunday, 23 December, 2001, edition of
the Indonesian-language daily Kompas,
Ambassador Boyce answered
questions from a team of 3 Indonesian journalists. Excerpts from that interview
are included below:
Can
you explain what you mean when you say Indonesia must cooperate in fighting
international terrorism?
I know the Indonesian people saw what happened in New York, Washington, and
Pennsylvania on September 11. This was sickening - to, with a very few
exceptions - all Indonesians - Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus or any
other group and was an act not connected with any religion. This was an act of
barbarity. It cannot be defended. The Indonesian people and the people of the
U.S. share the same view of the events of September 11.
... Terrorism must be eliminated; action must be taken. This is in accordance
with the global coalition. Of course, there were some points of disagreement.
In the beginning, when we had just begun the Afghanistan campaign, there were
demonstrations against the bombing. There were also those who disagreed with
the idea of a superpower supervising women and children in Pakistan refugee
camps.
It was indeed very difficult when I first arrived in Jakarta, last October. At
that time, I said we can agree to disagree. Friends often don't agree, that
does not mean their friendship has ended. I think the view (about the
Afghanistan campaign) has already changed.
I think the people now see that the Northern Alliance is much more Islamic than
the Taliban. I say much more "Islamic" than the Taliban because of
the information which has emerged regarding how the Taliban treated the women
of Afghanistan, their own people. This kind of information can now be known,
which means that freedom now exists.
I think the Indonesian people have now read this type of information, in
particular regarding the behavior of the Taliban, and at the very least now
know how they allowed their country to be hijacked by the Al-Qaeda. That is why
I believe the wave of protests have stopped. This is understandable, isn't it?
How about the anti-American
feeling reported in Indonesia recently?
I never accepted the idea that there were widespread anti-American feelings in
Indonesia. This is an impression encountered not only in the U.S.A., but
elsewhere in the world. I believe this occurred because of the strength of the
media. When I arrived here there was a feeling of resentment among the
Indonesians at being depicted as a living in violent country and that every
night on CNN
they saw barbed wire and water cannons (associated with their country). I think
people hated this image ...
I began with reluctance to accept the concept that anti-Americanism sentiments
existed in Indonesia. I believe that there is no widespread feeling of
opposition to America in Indonesia.
Has the situation improved? - Clearly, the situation outside the Embassy is
calmer; there is no more barbed wire. There are no more water canons, no more
trucks, and most importantly - there are no more demonstrations. In this regard,
the situation has improved.
Does this mean there's no
problem visiting Indonesia? What about the travel warning (for Indonesia) that
has been issued by the U.S. State Department?
I think that Americans should feel themselves free to come to Indonesia providing
they use good judgment. If you come as tourists, perhaps you should avoid Ambon
and Banda Aceh. I feel there should not be a travel advisory against travel to
all of Indonesia, as though the situation was the same from Banda Aceh to
Papua.
We have already changed our travel advisory. Previously we reminded Americans
to not come to Indonesia, I think now we suggest people avoid unnecessary
travel to Indonesia. Frankly, in my opinion, the advisory should say when you
come to Indonesia use good judgment. Don't go to places that are having
problems. I think this is the direction in which we are heading. In the New
Year I believe that this will be the recommendation given by the U.S.
Department of State.
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