Obama's visit to Indonesia in March - World Stage opportunity

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Obama's visit Indonesia in the opportunity the world stage
Perspective Online
05 February 2010
Google translation

Indonesia is preparing to face the crucial moment next month. Not a moment of the special committee, not a buffalo in Bunderan attractions or HI-style demonstration Bonek the recent boom happened. But something far more important and will have a major impact for Indonesia, the plan President Barack Obama's visit to Jakarta mendatang.Kunjungan march is not only meant to satisfy emotional because of the past Obama has ever passed in Jakarta, but also about a political future beyond country Indonesia, and bilateral relations with the United States is still regarded as the most influential country in the world. In the Good Night Nusantara in TVRI Ansy hosted by Lemma, Wimar Witoelar with UI faculty Hariyadi Wirawan Social try to share perspectives about ini.Indonesia be an important country for America, not because it has a historical background with Obama, but as the saying by Robert Gibs that Indonesia is important because it represents the largest democratic country in the world. Where is the democracy into a new culture developed in the majority Muslim community who also upholds pluralism and inlusivitas. "This is an achievement in itself, because this was the first time we can stand as tall with America," said Wimar.Dengan capital, we can play our position in order to continue to move forward, especially in economic cooperation, investment and technology transfer from countries seb Esar America.

Moreover, we also are facing the challenge of free trade regulations of China - ASEAN, so penigkatan product quality and competitiveness is absolutely necessary. But according Wimar, a chance to make partnership and transfer of this technology could be disrupted if some people who do not understand the issues and the political elite who have short-term interests continue to undermine the people - clean people in government.

Democracy so misunderstood by attacking those who want to enforce a clean government through illegal demonstrations. "We hope when obama comes already gone wild is a demo that would reduce the meaning of democracy ', added former President Wahid's spokesman ini.Hal be another important thing to do is how the holders of domestic economic resources sperti companies - large companies can implement good Corporate governance consistently. Like obedient to pay taxes, transparent, and avoid the practice of other economic crimes. Because of political and economic conditions in the country will affect the image and diplomacy outside Indonesia negeri.Jika we continue to dwell on the short-term politics as the special committee, the issue of impeachment, etc., it is difficult for us to go forward. Because according to many agendas Hariyadi be fought with Obama coming to Jakarta, including how to make Indonesia a larger role in the G20 like other developing countries such as China, Brazil and India. It's better to work to formulate the agenda of the special committee that the future is more qualified than the trial of all officials like legal proceedings.

By: Didiet Budi Adiputro

http://www.perspektif.net/indonesian/article.php?article_id=1254

 

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Re: Obama's visit to Indonesia in March - World Stage opportunity

Indonesia steps up security before Obama visit


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Indonesian soldiers from the Army Strategic Command (KOSTRAD) parade during a ceremony at an army base in Depok, Indonesia. The US and Indonesian militaries will team up to ensure the security of US President Barack Obama during his planned visit to Indonesia next month.Picture: EPA



JAKARTA


Thursday, February 18, 2010

INDONESIAN police have stepped up monitoring of extremist networks, but see no indication of any security threat to US President Barack Obama's visit next month, the head of the nation's anti-terrorism unit told Reuters.

Police have succeeded in killing or capturing a string of suspected militants, including Southeast Asia's most-wanted fugitive, Noordin Mohammad Top, since suicide bombings on luxury Jakarta hotels last July shattered a four-year lull in attacks.

Tito Karnavian, head of Indonesia's elite anti-terrorism squad, Detachment 88, said that the threat level was lower, but there was still a risk of new attacks despite the shooting dead of Malaysian-born Top in a police raid last September.

"Noordin Top is not the only militant cell within the network. He's just one general, but there are some other generals," said Karnavian, 45, who was appointed head of Detachment 88 late last year.

Trained with Australian and US help, the unit was established after the deadly 2002 Bali bombings carried out by regional network Jemaah Islamiah (JI).

The nightclub attacks, which killed 202 people, removed any lingerings doubt of the serious danger posed by radicals in the world's most populous Muslim nation.

A string of other attacks in Indonesia since 2000 have been blamed on Jemaah Islamiah, although violent splinter groups such as the one led by Top are now believed to be the key threats.

Karnavian said about 300 Indonesians had some form of military capability after being trained in camps in Afghanistan, Pakistan or in the southern Philippines.

He said that police had been monitoring militant networks closely, but had found no indication of any plots targeting the US president's March 20-22 visit to Indonesia.

"So far there is no news. There is no info on that," he said, adding that the military would escort Obama's delegation, while police were responsible for the overall security environment.

Obama is popular in Indonesia after spending fours years in the country as a child, although US foreign policy in the Middle East sometimes provokes angers in the predominantly Muslim nation.

The investigations into the attacks on the Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott hotels in Jakarta last July, which killed nine people excluding the two bombers, pointed to the re-establishment of a connection between al Qaeda and local militants, Karnavian said.

"We don't have very strong evidence of connection between Jemaah Islamiah, radical networks in Indonesia and al Qaeda. But indications that the network has already reconnected, yes, through the funding."

Al Qaeda helped fund the 2002 Bali bombings and the 2003 JW Marriott hotel bombings in Jakarta, which killed scores of Indonesians and Westerners. Reuters

http://www.bt.com.bn/en/news-asia/2010/02/18/indonesia-steps-security-obama-visit

 

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Re: Obama's visit to Indonesia in March - World Stage opportunity

Indonesian Idyll: Neighbors in Jakarta remember young Barack Obama, his family

By Chris Brummitt ? Associated Press ? March 28, 2010

JAKARTA, Indonesia ? Somewhat bluntly, Barack Obama's former teacher sums up the neighborhood thinking when the future American president turned up with his family in Indonesia's capital more than 40 years ago:

"His mother was white, his father was Indonesian, and here was a black, chubby boy with curly hair. It was a big question mark for us,? said Israella Pareira, who along with most Indonesians at that time, had little experience with foreigners.

But if the neighbors were initially curious, it didn't take long for them to accept Obama, his American mother and Indonesian stepfather. They now speak with pride and affection about the child who left a big impression here, before going on to make an even bigger mark in history.

Memories of the four years Obama spent in Jakarta will be stirred further when he returns to Indonesia in June, his first visit to the country as president of the United States.

The trip will highlight Obama's multicultural upbringing, his early exposure to Islam and his lasting family connections to Indonesia, a mostly Muslim, Southeast Asian nation of some 230 million people.

Obama's childhood and family history would be an interesting start in life for anyone, but are all the more striking in an American president.

The first African-American head of state, he is also the first to spend a significant part of his childhood abroad since Theodore Roosevelt, who traveled in Europe and the Middle East with his family.

?He was exposed to American black culture, American white culture and Indonesian culture,? said Kay Ikranagara, who worked with Obama's mother in Jakarta and knew the family well. ?He learned that people in all groups should be listened to.?

No schedule of his trip has been released, but Obama is likely to visit one of his old schools or homes during the visit, which was delayed until June so as not to clash with a crucial point in the U.S. health care overhaul debate.

It is not known for certain if his wife and children, who were originally going to join him during their spring break, will be accompanying him...



Barack Obama, 9, is shown with his Indonesian stepfather, Lolo Soetoro, his mother, Ann Dunham, and his half sister, Maya Soetoro, 1, in Jakarta, Indonesia, in the early 1970s. (AP/Obama Presidential Campaign)



An Indonesian man placed his son on the pedestal of a statue of Barack Obama as a 10-year-old at Menteng Park in Jakarta. President Obama is to return to the city in June for the first time since he became president. (Associated Press file photo) </SPAN itxtvisited="1">

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Students play basketball at the SDN Menteng elementary school, which Barack Obama attended. Coenraad Satja Koesoemah says as a boy, Obama ?went to everyone?s house, played kites ? got stuck in swamps.? (Irwin Fedriansyah/Associated Press)

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