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A million friends, zero enemies the Facebook way

Numerous notifications awaited me when I logged on to my Facebook account, having just read an opinion piece in a well-known national paper, criticizing Indonesia’s contemporary foreign-policy philosophy

Santo Darmosumarto (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Sun, October 2, 2011

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A million friends, zero enemies the Facebook way

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umerous notifications awaited me when I logged on to my Facebook account, having just read an opinion piece in a well-known national paper, criticizing Indonesia’s contemporary foreign-policy philosophy. One of the notifications stood out: John Smith had requested my permission to add me as a “friend”.

I met John just last week. Our fiery discussion on the last UEFA Champions League Final (I’m a Barcelona fan, he is a Red Devil) made the acquaintance bearable, even enjoyable.

John Smith was a nice chap, but I wouldn’t regard him as a friend — not yet, at least — in spite of our lively chat on the beautiful game. Yet, a week later, he requested to be my “friend”. I had no reasons to say no and so, with a press of a button, Mr. John Smith became my “friend”.

This brings me back to the opinion piece I mentioned earlier on Indonesia’s foreign-policy tagline of a “million friends, zero enemies”. The piece argued that by labeling all of Indonesia’s foreign counterparts as “friends”, we are being prevented from seeing that some countries may not regard Indonesia as a friend.

The author used Malaysia and Saudi Arabia as examples of countries undeserving of the “friend” label. He viewed Indonesia-Malaysia relations as rife with conflict and not friendship. With Saudi Arabia, the heat resulting from the Ruyati case could never be cooled down through a “million friends, zero enemies” perspective. In the end, a “friendly” outlook is seen as rendering Indonesia’s foreign policy characterless and devoid of national pride.

Such views are not necessarily exclusive to that author. Similar views have been shared by numerous foreign-affairs analysts, including in this prestigious newspaper.

Don’t get me wrong here. I am one of those people who feel that a “million friends, zero enemies” still requires further exploration. Other than pronouncements made by President Susilo Bambang Yu-dhoyono or Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, there has been a lack of effort to enter into discourse on what the concept actually entails.

However, that doesn’t mean that a “million friends, zero enemies” is inherently flawed. If anything, our capacity to approach the world in a more optimistic fashion (yet remaining attentive to our national interests) is what makes Indonesia’s post-Cold War, post-reform foreign policy that much more interesting.

I can’t understand why many eagerly express pessimism at a “million friends, zero enemies”. The tagline is an updated interpretation of the “free and active diplomacy” principle championed by our nation’s forefathers. “Million friends, zero enemies” is a reflection of the internationalism and non-ideological globalism of the post-Cold War era, and the openness and pragmatism of Indonesia’s reform.

A lesson, therefore, can be drawn from our attitude toward “friends” on Facebook.

Facebook account holders are inter-linked as “friends”. It doesn’t matter if they are people whom you have known since childhood, co-workers or even recently met acquaintances, like Mr. John Smith. When others see our Facebook profile, they will see that these people are all listed as “friends”.

The level of closeness that you actually may have with each of these Facebook “friends” doesn’t matter either; they are all grouped as “friends”. And although you wouldn’t want to admit it, you strive to have as many “friends” as possible; for work purposes, for old time’s sake or for whatever other reason under the sun.

In real life, however, you value “friends” differently; that’s the truth. Some are given access to only certain albums, comments or notes posted on your Facebook profile. Meanwhile, there are others who have a more complete, intimate view of your profile. While you may want to appear open to friendships across the board, Facebook actually allows you to categorize according to your individual interests and needs.

In speeches, bilateral meetings, and other state activities, it is imperative that Yudhoyono emphasize this perspective. In a flat world no longer divided along ideological lines, and where global issues transcend national boundaries, it is counterproductive not to identify other countries as friends.

Friendship provides a basis for interaction among countries; it provides the means for communication in this freer, more globalized era. Upholding the principle of friendship allows countries to continue dialogue and mediation in the face of conflicting issues If at the outset we identify a relationship on the basic status of “friends”, we establish an environment that is conducive for conflict-resolution if or when conflict does erupt.

National interests, however, determine our level of friendship with other countries. Therefore, when Indonesia encounters conflicting issues with Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, the question raised should not be “Have they stopped being our friends?” Instead, the question should be, “Have they become lesser friends?”

It seems impossible to de-“friend” another unless you seek war, but aren’t challenges better dealt with as friends, no matter how tattered a friendship may be? Xavi Hernandez and Iker Casillas overcame their heated differences as captains of Barcelona and Real Madrid because they’ve been “friends” for 15 years. With their differences put aside, the Spanish national team beat Lichtenstein 6-0 recently. As friends, anything is possible.

“Million friends, zero enemies” should be regarded as a principal outlook underlying our approaches to bilateral relations and international affairs. It should not be regarded as a refined policy directive. It simply sets the tone for Indonesian engagement with other countries and organizations. In the end, the actual color of our approaches will depend on how much we value each foreign counterpart as a “friend”.

Indeed, in the spirit of a democratic foreign policy, the government can no longer embark on categorizing Indonesia’s “friends” on its own. The participation of other domestic stakeholders is important. Only then will there be a sense of belonging to (and hopefully, a better understanding of) a “million friends, zero enemies”.

A discourse on foreign policy must be continually encouraged. However, this should be aimed at categorizing “friends”, and not identifying “enemies”.

All “friends” are equal, but some “friends” are more equal than others and this is how we should view our “million friends, zero enemies”.

That’s just the way — the Facebook way.

The writer is an Indonesian diplomat. The opinions expressed are his own.

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