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The Wall Street Journal, October 9, 2001
Special Report: Aftermath of Terror
U.S. Campaign Puts Indonesia in a Bind
By JAY SOLOMON
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
JAKARTA, Indonesia -- The first shots in Washington's war on terrorism have put Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri's three-month-old government in a political dilemma.
Ms. Megawati has personally promised U.S. President George W. Bush to back the U.S. campaign. But sentiment among many Indonesian Muslims appears to be running against the military strikes in Afghanistan by the U.S. and Britain.
On Monday, Jakarta urged the U.S. to limit the use of military force, as protesting Indonesian Islamic militant groups threatened to retaliate against Americans and other Westerners. The small, but raucous Islamic militias vowed to begin a jihad, or holy war, against Western interests in the country.
The government of Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, responded by deploying dozens of armored-personnel carriers, hundreds of troops and barbed wire at key intersections and diplomatic missions in Jakarta. Police were also dispatched to control a small demonstration outside the residence of U.S. Ambassador Robert Gelbard, who has been the target of recent death threats from Muslim extremists.
U.S., Australian and British embassies, meanwhile, advised their citizens to stay home and out of the public eye.
No attacks against foreigners were reported Monday and the anti-U.S. protests were relatively small. But the radical Islamic groups pledged to continue their campaign in the days ahead.
"If the government doesn't take stern action against U.S. and its allies, then we will call on all Islamic followers to ... take over their interests and oust them from Indonesia," said Ja'far Siddiq, secretary of the Jakarta-based Islamic Defenders' Front.
Indonesia is trying to balance Muslims' concerns over the U.S. attacks with Jakarta's need to maintain good relations with the West as it struggles to cope with severe financial shortfalls and months of political uncertainty.
On Monday, Indonesian officials asked the population not to "overreact" in showing their support for the Afghan people or to harm Westerners. But Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda also voiced his "deep concern" with the U.S. attacks, and urged that diplomacy -- not military force -- be used to combat terrorism.
"The government of Indonesia insists the operation stay limited ... to avoid more casualties," said Mr. Hassan in a written statement, but he didn't spell out how Indonesia would react if the campaign is widened.
Some Muslim groups, including the influential Indonesian Ulemas Council, the country's highest Islamic body, want a tougher stand. They urged Ms. Megawati to suspend diplomatic ties with the U.S. if Washington doesn't stop its offensive. "There is potential for a world war between the Muslims and the West," said the Ulemas council secretary general, Din Syamsuddin.
Ms. Megawati is likely to see pressure mount from Muslim critics if the U.S. offensive in Afghanistan is protracted or if military strikes cause substantial civilian casualties. Indeed, the initial attack drove the Indonesian rupiah down 3% Monday to 10,163 rupiah against the dollar. And several Western companies said they are considering moving staff out of the country if the threats to their safety continue.
Ms. Megawati pledged her support for Mr. Bush's antiterrorism campaign at a meeting with the U.S. president last month in Washington. In return, Washington promised $530 million in financial assistance.
On Monday, Security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Indonesia remains opposed to terrorism, but added that Jakarta won't support the use of further military action.
Even moderate Indonesian Islamic groups and political leaders are now calling for an end to the U.S. military campaign. "We want the government to continue fighting against and condemning terrorism, but this doesn't mean allowing the U.S. to attack just one country," said Syafii Maarif, leader of Indonesia's second-largest Islamic organization, Muhammadiyah.
-- Rin Hindryati and Puspa Madani contributed to this article.
Write to Jay Solomon at jay.solomon@awsj.com.
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