Yesterday Bush said, "Indonesia and America may be on the opposite sides of the ocean, but we have a lot in common.
"We're both among the world's largest democracies. We both share a belief that our great diversity is a source of strength."
Today the US Embassy announced that the Embassy, Consulate General and all other U.S. Government facilities in Indonesia will be closed beginning May 26, 2005 until further notice because of a security threat.
We're used to these announcements; generally they come to nought. Of course, coming from a country which can be terrorised by a giant penis, they may well be justified in their fears.
As a souvenir of his Stateside hols, Gen. (rtd) SBY can report enhanced, if not yet full, military ties between the two countries. Indonesia can now buy 'non-lethal defence equipment', whatever that is.
This will not have pleased a coalition of human rights, labor, religious, peace and other groups (who) urged President Bush "to ensure that this first visit of President Yudhoyono advances respect for human rights and implementation of genuine justice and military reform throughout Indonesia rather than maintaining business-as-usual."
"It's a tiara. Want one?"
Where there's smoke ...
I surmised on Tuesday that Australians in Bali may prefer their own home grown. Apparently, I was right.
A Balinese drug dealer who has spent time in jail said he had smoked the Australian 'skunk' many times with friends from Italy, Germany and Australia but had never bought or sold any.
He recognised the marijuana as Australian as it was made up of large flowers or buds, while the marijuana he sells from Aceh in north Sumatra or from Malang in East Java has much smaller buds and a lot of leaf mixed in.
Kick him when he's down.
Following my poll as to whether readers thought that Soeharto should be prosecuted, there is further evidence that Jakartass readers are in tune with the prevailing mood.
In an interview in yesterday's Jakarta Post, political scientist Mochtar Pabottingi said that the wisest and most realistic thing (SBY) could say is that it is imperative to put Soeharto to trial and find the truth. But maybe not during the current administration. We may have to wait a while, the consequence being that Soeharto could pass away first. But really, that is the least Susilo could say, as a statesman. But of course, he needs to mean it.
A fond farewell
No, not Soeharto.
Graeme Le Saux has retired from football. He was an outstanding left back for, among others, Blackburn, Chelsea and, for the past two seasons, recently relegated Southampton.
In my footballing days, I played left back, although I am singularly right-footed. Like me, Graeme gave his all. Unlike me, he did it very well. And with both feet. Guts beats glory every time in my book.
Of course, guts and glory is even better. Pity I missed the European Cup Final, which was on at 2am here, where Steven Gerrard epitomised everything I've enjoyed about Le Saux.
