Marianne Kearney, Jakarta – The United States has attacked Indonesia for its double standards over access to the riot-torn Malukus, questioning Jakarta's commitment to openness and democracy. The diplomatic row stems from Indonesia's conflicting policy over access to its trouble spots.
On the one hand, Jakarta has called for foreign countries to send aid to the Maluku islands, but on the other hand, it has barred any foreign-embassy staff from visiting the province, Aceh and West Papua due to its mounting fear of foreign intervention. Said one diplomat: "It is ironic it claims to be a democracy yet in areas where they accept foreign assistance, they won't let people in."
In response to calls this week from Indonesian Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab for food, medicines and other foreign aid for Maluku, the US Embassy issued a curt reply. "We are perplexed by this statement, however, as our requests to travel to Maluku, as well as to Papua and Aceh, have routinely been denied by the Indonesian Department of Foreign Affairs," said the embassy statement, adding that they wanted to provide aid.
The ban on all foreign embassies stems in part from Indonesia's nervousness over the prospect of foreign intervention, particularly the possibility of peacekeeping troops being sent in to Maluku. Dozens of demonstrators again targeted the US Embassy yesterday, urging America to stop interfering in Indonesia.
In a press conference yesterday, Mr Alwi, after outlining how Jakarta was dealing with conflicts in the three regions, also sought reassurance again from foreign ambassadors that countries such as Britain, France and the US had no thoughts of sending troops to Indonesia. But outside Indonesia, foreign governments are increasingly concerned at its inability to control the ethnic conflict.
Adding to Jakarta's concern over foreign interference was the European Union's decision on Thursday to look at ways of ending the ethnic conflict, including the sending in of international observers. At the same time, three church leaders are travelling to Geneva to seek intervention from the United Nations Human Rights Commission.
While the chances of even international observers being sent to Maluku are still slim, Indonesia is concerned by what it sees as a growing threat to its borders: The possibility of international troops being sent to Indonesia on humanitarian grounds.
Other analysts say the Foreign Ministry is reluctant to lift bans on visits to restive regions as they fear an independent assessment of the Indonesian armed forces' ability to control and reduce violence.