'Bogor's economy will be shut down for the day'

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Wed, 11/15/2006 12:10 PM | Jakarta

With questions being raised about the costs and extensive security arrangements for the Nov. 20 visit by U.S. President George W. Bush to Bogor, the government is trying to convince people of the benefits of having Bush drop by for 10 hours to discuss issues such as education and bird flu. The Jakarta Post asked several Bogor residents what they thought of the visit.

Riza Wicaksono, 24, runs a telephone voucher business. He lives in Bogor with his family:

I think the visit by Bush is too much trouble. The government seems to be making too much effort preparing a ""royal"" welcome for Bush.

As a citizen of Bogor, I am very troubled by the much-discussed visit.

What bothers me first is the damage to the city's Botanical Gardens to build helipads for Bush.

Second, with the news of Bush coming to Bogor, there are now protests here every day. This has increased traffic jams in the city, which is already packed with vehicles.

The third thing that bothers me is the rumor that the communication lines will be shut down for about 10 hours during the visit. Although telecommunications providers have denied the rumors, some businesses are confused about whether or not they should open.

If the rumor is true, my business will certainly be hit hard that day, as I run a few shops selling cellular phone cards. Who would buy a card if the communication lines are down?

I am sure of one thing, that Bogor's economy will be shut down that day, and that bothers me. One unproductive day for Bogor is no small loss.

Wa Ode Dyah Erwati, 24, is a doctor. She lives with her family in Bogor:

I don't like Bush coming to town.

I personally don't like the guy. I don't have any problem with the United States as a nation, but I don't like Bush because I think he's a war criminal, who is responsible for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I think his planned visit is being exaggerated by the government. We have plenty of diplomatic visits from other countries, but the preparations are never as extensive as these.

As a resident of Bogor, I'm offended by the really tight security arrangements for Bush's visit. It's as if he suspects the people of Bogor are nothing but terrorists.

-- The Jakarta Post

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