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Washington takes new look at Jakarta under Obama: Envoy
Ary Hermawan , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Thu, 07/02/2009 12:21 PM | World
The historic election of US President Barack Obama has marked a new era in Indonesia-United States relations, however one cannot overlook the fact that relations had improved — although not dramatically — before the first US black president walked into the White House.“I think, to be fair with president Bush, you had this moderate improvement on a steady pace while president Bush was in office,” US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron R. Hume told The Jakarta Post at his office on Tuesday.
According to Hume, the US expanded cooperation in the security sector by making more opportunities available for military training programs for Indonesia’s security personnel. “The amount of money we put into that about doubled in the last two years,” Hume said.
The US Pacific Command (PACOM) also recently sponsored joint training for UN peacekeeping forces, hosted by the Indonesian military, in Bandung. The militarily-advanced US, which lifted its embargo on Indonesia in 2005, has also helped the country with the installation of radars in the Malacca Strait.
“It’s a gradual improvement, but I wouldn’t say there’s anything dramatic,” he said. But has there been a shift since Obama took office?
The first change in US foreign policy toward Indonesia under the Obama administration was a “new look” at what had already been achieved, Hume said. “They say: ‘Oh, so much has changed. What can we do now?’”
“So, that’s why you have a new agenda with an added emphasis on education, the environment, health and I think work in these key areas will build on what we’re already achieved.”
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Iain — Thu, 07/02/2009 - 12:33pm
My comment is not directed at Camerom Hume, but at the wider media community.
I don't understand why the reporting of improved or worsened relations between the US and Indonesia takes the perspective of what the US does or doesn't do.
When is Indonesia going to take responsibility for their part in the relationship? What is Indonesia and Indonesians doing to improve the relationship with the US? Or is it the US that has to do everything?
Previously people wanted (actually, enjoyed) to blame Bush for supposed poor relations between the US and Indonesia. But what did Bush ever do against Indonesia? Thankfully Cameron Hume (and the Jakarta Post reporting it) said that the relationship actually improved under a Bush administration.
Firstly, before (or “if”) people reply to my comment...
1. I am not a Bush supporter
2. I am not even a US citizen
but I am continually annoyed at the common assumption that Indo-US relations will be better under Obama, ignoring the efforts the previous administration made, like dropping trade sanctions on non-combative military hardware. Are people forgetting the Democrat Party's position on Papua? Those that voted against the lifting of the sanctions were Democrats.