In 1991, a top business leader and rising politician work together to write a book entitled
The Japan That Can Say No. It elaborate how the rising economic might of Japan and the depression in US in the 80’s enabled Japan to take independent stance in international affairs from its former conqueror.
Fifteen years later, Indonesia is not as economically mighty as Japan then. But at least in principled matter, the more stable economy and dynamic democracy enabled Indonesian government to say no to US. More importantly it is said in directly to Rumfeld, the incompetent US secretary of defense, in front of the press. Juwono Sudarsono is my hero for now.
A long quote is necessary:
“Then: "It is important to us because, as the world's largest Muslim country, we are aware of the perception, or misperception, that the United States is overbearing or overpresent or overwhelming in every sector of life in many nations and cultures."
"So, I was telling the secretary just recently, just two minutes ago," the minister went on, "that your powerful economy and your powerful military does [sic] lead to misperception and a sense of threat by many groups right across the world, not just in Indonesia."
At this point, Rumsfeld felt the need to reply: "I have never indicated to any country that they should do something that they were uncomfortable doing." (Tell that one to the leaders of "old Europe.")
Finally, Rumsfeld's host unleashed the big one. The Bush administration has long been displeased with Indonesia's reluctance to sign the Proliferation Security Initiative, a multilateral pact that lets U.S. and allied inspectors search cargo ships for nuclear and other sensitive materials. Responding to a reporter's question about the dispute, Sudarsono said, "Perhaps we can agree on a limited framework of cooperation on an ad-hoc basis rather than a multilateral permanent structure." Or, stripped of diplomatic jargon: Forget a permanent deal—we'll help you when it suits us.”
Read the complete article in Slate
here.
