TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
SBY slammed for inaction against US over Israeli assaults
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has come under fire for failing to take action over Israel’s attacks on Gaza and speak directly with the US about the conflict
Change Size
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has come under fire for failing to take action over Israel’s attacks on Gaza and speak directly with the US about the conflict.
Indonesia has in the past played an active role in major international crises such as the Myanmar cyclone, the Lebanon war and Middle East conflicts, and the President has long promoted the nation’s involvement in ASEAN and the UN. Critics however are now slamming his response to the US over Israeli attacks on Gaza, claiming his silence is rendering Indonesian protests useless.
“It’s very clear that Yudhoyono avoids confrontation with the US. Clearly his current soft and friendly diplomatic approach is not working, so it is time for him to directly speak with US leaders and order Israel stop its attacks on Gaza,” said Daniel Sparinga, an international relations expert from Airlangga University in Surabaya.
Daniel claimed all diplomatic efforts by Indonesia at the UN or other organizations would be pointless unless it made a request to the US for Israel to cease its military activities in the Gaza Strip.
“What does Yudhoyono have to lose? Indonesian relations with the US will not be negatively affected because he expresses the sentiments of the Indonesian people. In fact, it is his obligation to convey the voice of the people,” Daniel said.
The University of Indonesia’s international relations expert Bantarto Bandoro supported calls for Yudhoyono to talk with the US about the conflict.
He said Indonesia was in good standing with the US and had shared strong economic ties with the superpower over the past 5 years.
“There is a strong chance the US would listen to Indonesia perhaps more intently than other nations. Yudhoyono should take a chance and challenge the US. It may even boost his reputation as a world leader,” Bantarto said.
Hillary Clinton, who has been designated the role of US Secretary of State under the incoming Obama regime, highlighted Indonesia as a country with a key role to play in solving the global economic crisis when she gave her address before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s confirmation hearings on Jan 13.
“We know that emerging markets like China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia are feeling the effects of the current crisis,” said Clinton. “We all stand to benefit if they are part of the solution, and become partners in maintaining global economic stability.”
Yudhoyono has been very active in joining global efforts to stop the Israeli attacks, including discussing the need for the UN to assure a cease-fire with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
On Monday the President met with Syrian Prime Minister Naji Otri to demand a stronger resolution against Israel after the current call was ignored by the Jewish state.
He proposed that the UN General Assembly hold an emergency meeting to collaboratively condemn Israel should they fail to comply with the UN resolution.
On Tuesday, he criticized the UN for not acting fast enough against the growing conflict.
