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US-Indonesian relations strained due to anti-Americanism

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October 31, 2000 

JAKARTA (AP) - A year ago, Washington was among the most enthusiastic supporters of Indonesia's nascent democracy after decades of dictatorship.

Now, with reform stalled amid rampant violence, political infighting and scandal, relations have soured, with nationalistic groups directly targeting the outspoken American ambassador and U.S. citizens.

The U.S. Embassy, located across Jakarta's main park from the presidential palace, has suspended its public functions for at least a week after a series of protests and threats. It has warned of growing anti-Americanism and advised U.S. citizens in Indonesia to be wary.

Muslim youths recently staged half-a-dozen rallies in front of the embassy to protest Washington's perceived bias toward Israel in the crisis in the Middle East. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation.

The U.S. consulate in Indonesia's second largest city, Surabaya, has also been attacked. American and Israeli flags are regularly burned in the streets.

Over the weekend, Islamic militants went to hotels in the central Javanese city of Solo, demanding that American tourists leave the country within 48 hours.

The embassy condemned on Monday what it described as "hostile actions" that threaten American lives and endanger relations along with trade, investment and tourism.

Earlier, Indonesia's military, long miffed by Washington's support for sweeping reforms in its ranks after years of human rights abuses, accused a U.S. warship of covertly sailing into its waters.

A U.S. tourist was recently detained and accused of spying after photographing a riot in the violence-torn province of Irian Jaya in western New Guinea.

Defense Minister Mohamad Mafud has even mused about forming an alliance of Asian countries as a counterweight to U.S. military power in the region.

However, most ire has been reserved for Ambassador Robert Gelbard, a career diplomat who arrived in Jakarta last year after earning a reputation as a tough talker as U.S. President Bill Clinton's envoy to the Balkans.

Indonesian lawmakers have been irritated by Gelbard's blunt style. They prefer to conduct politics in a quiet, polite and non-confrontational way that follows the traditions of the main island of Java.

Among other things, Gelbard has publicly insisted that Indonesia's year-old government make good on promises to take difficult measures to fix the economy and bring to justice those responsible for last year's bloody destruction of East Timor.

Legislators accuse Gelbard and Washington of bullying the government. Military leaders accuse them of interfering in Indonesia's internal affairs as it grapples with parallel political and economic crises.

Some have demanded he be replaced - an option rejected by President Abdurrahman Wahid.

"Countries going through transition are always more nationalistic and sensitive to outside influences. But this is also a matter of personality," said Dewi Fortuna Anwar, a political analyst and former presidential adviser. "What Gelbard has been up to has been the straw that has broken the camel's back."

Gelbard was not available for comment Monday, but in the past has maintained that the United States still strongly supports Indonesia's efforts to entrench democratic reforms.

Anwar and others warn that anti-American sentiment could rise, particularly among Wahid's political opponents, who are pressing for his resignation.

"The danger is that these anti-American sentiments could easily spin out of control and affect broader relations, especially as they are fanned by government officials and politicians. But just remember, if relations are allowed to deteriorate any further, Indonesia and its people have far more to lose than the United States does," The Jakarta Post said in an editorial on Monday.

Wahid initially enjoyed warm relations with the United States.

As Indonesia's first democratically chosen head of state in four decades, he visited Clinton twice at the White House.

And Washington has been a strong supporter of International Monetary Fund aid to Indonesia.

However, relations became strained after Wahid's commitment to reform appeared to waver. They deteriorated further when Wahid ignored U.S. sensitivities and made an official visit to Cuba. He has also announced plans to travel to Iraq.