His visit has certainly raised expectations, some of them misplaced, with the thinking that since Obama spent four years of his childhood in Indonesia, he should come with a lot of goodies. At the other extreme, there are opinions that not only dismiss the potential benefits, but even oppose the visit in the first place.

Still, even with the scaled down program — Obama will not be accompanied by his wife and daughters as originally planned — there is everything to gain and almost nothing or little to lose from the visit, currently scheduled for March 23-24.

This is a historic opportunity for both countries to lay down the foundations of a more solid relationship. The Comprehensive Partnership Agreement that will be signed during Obama’s visit will certainly be important, but even more crucial is the fact that we have an American president who has emotional and even familial ties with Indonesia.

What other country in the world can brag that the president of the biggest superpower was educated at one of its schools? There probably will never be another chance like this, certainly not in the next century. Indonesia would be a fool to squander the golden opportunity in building better relations presented with Obama’s presidency and his visit next week.

The two countries, the third and fourth largest in terms of population, have far more in common than people on either side of the border care to admit. Both are struggling, with mixed results, to come to terms with the racial, ethnic and religious diversity of its population. We are going through the same experience, albeit regarding different levels of development.

Indonesia’s founding fathers knew better than most present day leaders about the similarities we have with the US. In drafting the constitution in 1945, they opted for the American presidential system instead of the European parliamentary system. The state motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, Sanskrit for “Unity in Diversity”, was too similar to the E Pluribus Unum, or Latin for “Out of Many, One” to be much of a coincidence.

The history of Indonesia’s post-independence, however, dictated that we went on different paths, from Indonesia’s efforts to stay neutral throughout the Cold War, to the blatant US intervention in Indonesia’s domestic affairs in the 1950s and 1960s.

Relations between the two countries have had their ups and downs since then and sadly but understandably often this past historical baggage continues to saddle sentiments in both countries, creating mutual suspicions that have prevented relations from blossoming to their full potential, even today.

Within the Indonesian elite, some still have hang-ups from the past. Notice the anti-American sentiments that easily soared after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US in 2001 and during the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Notice also how it is easy for politicians to score points by accusing officials such as Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Vice President Boediono as being “neolibs” representing American interests. To this last point, Indonesia may claim today that we have our own man at the White House, which beats the “neolibs” argument.

Joking aside, we can be sure that Obama is the only American president who will be more favorable
to Indonesia than others before and after him. Anyone who has lived abroad knows you cannot
help becoming fond of the country. Four years of his childhood here should be sufficient for Obama to feel as if Indonesia is his adopted country.

This is not to say that he will see eye to eye with Indonesia on every issue. These are misplaced expectations. But we certainly have his ears for sure, if not his heart.

Indonesia will continue to have its differences with the US under Obama on many issues, as reflected in the recent climate change debate, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Iranian nuclear issue and many others.

But this should not prevent the two countries from forging more cordial and warm relations. Since the reformasi in 1998, Indonesia and the US have become closer in values and principles of democracy, human rights and freedom that should make both countries feel comfortable in addressing issues and talking about their differences.

There are many more areas where the interests of the two countries converge, such as in trade and investment, in geopolitics, security and in counterterrorism, and in cultural exchange and the promotion of education. The point is that both countries stand to benefit tremendously from having closer relations.

When two friends, who are at ease with each other, meet, one should be asking the question, “How can I help?” To which the other will reply, “Thanks, but how can I be of help to you?”

Let us hope that when Barry (Obama’s nickname in Indonesia) and Bambang (President Yudhoyono’s middle name) meet next week, they will set a new tone for Indonesia—US relations.

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