Dear George W.,
Welcome to democratic Indonesia.
Many people in this country are opposed to your visit here today because of some of your policies, most notably on Iraq and on the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and they have made their feelings known by taking to the streets in recent weeks. But make no mistake that the controversy has all been part of a healthy democratic process that has evolved in this country during the last eight years.
The protesters may have been loud and strong — some call you “a war criminal” — but they have been peaceful and orderly. And the Indonesian government has stuck to its guns and defended your visit in the name of the national interest.
So please, don’t take it personally. Coming from the world’s leading democracy, you must be used to these kinds of protests and criticism. You probably know too that you’re not exactly the most-loved American leader today.
Survey after survey has showed rising anti-American sentiments in many countries around the world — not just in predominantly-Muslim Indonesia — and this is partly due to some of your policies, rather than simply an outright loathing of anything American. Remove these policies and the world will love America, and all it represents, once more.
The majority of Americans have also made their feelings known about your policies by voting against your Republican party in mid-term elections this month. So some changes may be on the way.
At the end of the day, many people in this country share with our government the view that we should not measure the President of the United States of America by one or two of his policies, as controversial, if not loathsome, to some they may be.
At home, you may be a lame-duck president, but to the outside world, you are still the leader of the most powerful country on earth today. And as far as Indonesia’s national interests go, the United States is still one of its most important partners — let’s not call ourselves allies — particularly in economic fields, but also increasingly in politics and security.
Putting aside our differences, like on the question of Iraq and the Middle East, there are many areas where we share common interests and goals. Disagreements in some policy areas should not stop two democracies from talking to one another. They certainly should not prevent us from working together for common goals and mutual benefit.
Both America and Indonesia hate terrorism, but we do not appreciate your effort to teach us how to run our nation. Although we hate your policy over the world, your injustice over the weak countries, your unreasonable position over nuclear weaponry, your unproven accusation and genocide in Iraq, your disrespect to the muslim world, your strange interest to always spoil Israel, your terror on nations in order to destroy terrorism, We never hate you as a human being. Men tend to make mistakes, but the best men are those who realize and repent. We belive you still have a chance. Believe that God is the most merciful to those who repent.
Dear George W.,
We truly appreciate that you have made the time and effort to come here.
This is your second visit to Indonesia as president, the first one being the four-hour stop you made in Bali two years ago. By allocating 10 hours of your precious time today, you are reiterating the importance of Indonesia to America.
Our relations may not be symmetrical, but sometimes we get the feeling that, going by the indifference of the American public and media, Indonesia is not as important a country to the United States as your State Department officials often tell us.
They have repeatedly stated that relations with Indonesia are important chiefly for geopolitical reasons: It is the fourth most populous country in the world, it has the world’s largest Muslim population (hence an important friend in your global war on terror), it is an exporter of many raw materials crucial to global industries, and it controls one of the busiest international shipping lanes.
Your presence here today, reciprocating a visit by our president last year, helps to underline Indonesia’s importance to the United States.
Looking beyond America’s geopolitical interests, however, Indonesia and the United States today are bound by their shared values for peace and democracy.
Ours are two large countries that have come a long way in promoting pluralism (or multiculturalism) in their own respective ways because both societies are diverse in terms of races, ethnicity, religions and even languages. We have a lot more in common than is often acknowledged. We can learn from each other’s experience in promoting democracy in a pluralistic society.
Dear George W.,
Indonesia has gone through a lot of trouble in hosting your visit here today. That’s how important we regard your visit.
The government, working with your security officials, isn’t taking any chances with regard to your safety. The state has stopped at nothing to make sure that your brief stay here is both safe and comfortable.
The majestic Bogor Presidential Palace, the venue of your meeting with SBY (this is how we address our president) today, is a rarely used facility that had been cleaned up and redecorated just for your visit. It’s filled with history so be sure to ask questions to your host.
The police have been deployed in full force, aided by the military, to check against possible terrorist attacks during your stay. We don’t want anything to happen to you while you’re here.
Shop owners, sidewalk traders and transit-van drivers who normally operate around the palace, have been told to take a day off on Monday, losing one-day’s income in the process. Schools in Bogor are also closed today. Roadblocks and diversions have been imposed in and around Bogor to the inconvenience of the local people.
But few in Bogor have been heard to complain. For Bogor residents, it is an honor to have you visit their “City of Rain”. It’s the protesters outside Bogor that are making the noise. We have been raised in a culture where you should respect your guest and make him feel welcome. And that’s exactly what we are doing.
This visit is as important to you as it is to SBY and to Indonesia.
So once again, welcome to Indonesia; we hope you have a pleasant stay and a fruitful exchange with our leaders.
Regards, Tommy Joe
PS: Don’t worry about Ki Gendeng Pamungkas. I believe God will always protect you, because He has planned something much better for you ( and us) than what that crazy man can offer.
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