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strong>May 18, p5

Many Indonesians have expressed their admiration for some of the illustrious leaders of contemporary Latin America, saying that they wish to have a president as bold and as courageous, if not in style then in policies.

Your comments:

I think Indonesia needs Evita Peron of Argentina.

Rio Rivai

This article would benefit from a fuller discussion of the impact of Hugo Chavez'€™s policies: 15-20 percent shortages of almost all basic commodities, including toilet paper; control of the media; repression of dissent. Chavez used the bogeyman of the US as a populist prop and a convenient excuse to justify his authoritarianism.

Indonesia'€™s development path is far from smooth, but you enjoy a relatively healthy economy, free media and free, if not perfect, elections. No need to borrow ideas from failing states.

Fidens

Chavez ruined Venezuela. I am no fan of the US, but it is not enough to just '€œstand up'€ to the US or in the case of Indonesia, large Western powers like Australia, the US, etc. You have to have a plan to help grow the country.

In particular, you need a plan to reduce the level of corruption and increase the level of transparency in public services, the police and government. Just read through today'€™s paper and you will see the challenges this country faces in those areas. The last person I would think of to solve these problems is someone like Chavez.

Hallier