The meaning of Obama's visit

By R William Liddle *

BARACK Hussein Obama is the first U.S. president who had lived in Indonesia during his childhood. When he was appointed nearly two years ago, his concern to Indonesia is expected to be greater than predecessors in the White House.

As an observer who is elderly, who had time to assess all policies to the Indonesian president since John F Kennedy, I myself did not initially dubious privilege of Obama in this regard.

However, an individual concern and attention as the president are the two things that can differ greatly. In the Indonesian-American relations, there is good reason to be skeptical of the long-term impact of Obama's visit, which has been delayed many times and is now scheduled to visit only one or two days.

Short course: Indonesian position lies far below the U.S. position in the global political arena today. On the world stage, Indonesia is not yet a player, let alone great. More detailed, political resources are owned by Indonesia and could be used to assist or resist America, certainly for the sake of asking for Indonesia itself, there is very little compared with other countries. That fact means that
Indonesia easily forgotten or set aside the other players.

Reputation soaring
An important example is the field of economics. One of the main purposes of the United States today is the recovery rate of economic growth after the shock of domestic banking crisis three years ago. Frankly, in Asia only China that could help us. Its economy grew rapidly after the policy shift from communist to a capitalist economy three decades ago. So, it is not difficult to understand if Obama prioritizes China in his first trip to Asia last year. If Indonesian banks plentiful dollars, Obama must have been
old landed at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport.

A second important example is the American conflict with radical Islamic movements that threaten our national security. My country was at war in Iraq and Afghanistan that could be traced to the Al Qaeda attacks on New York and Washington on September 11, 2001.
Since then, the American people feel very threatened by radical Islamic groups. Perlawatan Obama to India now to be seen partly in the framework of cooperation for the cause of Pakistan, India's bitter enemies for decades, is needed in the American war in Afghanistan.
Hope Obama, Pakistan's obsession with the threat of India can be appeased if the Americans gradually became an intermediary in the background.

The extent to which Indonesia could help the Americans, once again in order to propose its own interests? During this time, especially since the beginning of the reign of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2004, the efforts of our government established two meetings, particularly on radical Islamic groups. Many Jemaah Islamiyah kingpin involved in terrorist acts killed or arrested and prosecuted. Indonesia's reputation soar as Muslim-majority country's most successful eliminate terrorist networks.

However, cooperation in this field are limited. Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim community and the third largest democracy after India and the U.S.. However, this does not imply that the Indonesian influence in the Middle East, Central and South Asia, home to the majority of Muslims worldwide. Many observers and officials claim that Indonesia is a kind of role model, role model, for pro-democracy forces in the Muslim world did not resonate in the countries concerned. Obama's first speech addressed to Muslims spoken in Cairo, not in Jakarta. Egypt generally recognized as one of the centers of Islamic civilization though now controlled by ruthless dictators who are not favored in Washington.

More patient reader Indonesia, please do not get me wrong. I do not mean to underestimate Indonesia or visit my president. Quite the opposite: I want to put these requests in a realistic framework for Indonesian people to be more patient as well as more nimble in its approach to the Obama administration.

After the fall of New Order, Indonesia has entered fully in a historic process of modernization that will determine his future as a nation state and international players are weighted. The process contains two main dimensions: the establishment of political institutions are democratic and economic institutions are friendly to the domestic and global markets.

The American government, under a president who sympathize personally, can help a lot, for example through joint projects are being upgraded or newly formulated in the fields of education, natural environment protection, climate change, trade and investment.

However, maximum results will depend on the awareness of Indonesia that the United States, including its president, easy terdistraksi. Therefore, the government and people of Indonesia should be aware and alert, getting ready to continue to manage and direct the U.S. policy for the achievement of the objectives of Indonesia.

* R William Liddle, Professor of Political Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.