This is a comment on an article titled "Washington takes new look at Jakarta under Obama: Envoy," (the Post, June 2).

My comment is not directed to Ambassador Cameron 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 doing to improve the relationship with the US?

Or is it the US that has to do everything?

Previously people wanted (actually, enjoyed) blaming Bush for supposed poor relations between the US and Indonesia. But what did Bush ever do to Indonesia?

Thankfully Cameron Hume (and the Post for reporting it) said that the relationship actually improved under the Bush administration. Firstly, before (or if) people reply to my comment, I will announce that I am not a Bush supporter and I am not even a US citizen.

But I am continually annoyed at the common assumption that Indonesian-US relationship will be better under Obama, ignoring efforts made by the previous administration, 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.

Iain Robert Shearer

Jakarta

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