11 - The United States and Indonesia: Personal Reflections

Summary

Indonesia has been called the largest foreign country about which Americans know the least. There is much truth in this comment, and it should be corrected. There are three important reasons why Indonesia should rank much higher on the United States (U.S.) radar screen. With an estimated 235 million inhabitants, Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous nation. Secondly, 88 per cent of its people are Muslim, making this by far the largest Muslim population in the world. There are, in fact, more Muslims in Indonesia than in all the Arab states of the Middle East combined; and Indonesia's Muslims have historically been among the most moderate. Finally, Indonesia since 1998–99 has been the world's third largest democracy, trailing only India and the U.S. in population. Like Turkey, but on a much larger scale, Indonesia shows that Islam and democracy are compatible.

Indonesia and the U.S. are large nations coming from different perspectives, but they have nonetheless been able to find common ground. They share diversity, tolerance, and hospitality but differ on the role of the individual in society and increasingly in recent years on the way to handle international problems. With its “free and active” foreign policy, Indonesia opposes military alliances and bases but during the Soeharto presidency was glad to have the “over the horizon” presence of the U.S. seventh fleet. It desperately needed foreign investment in the 1960s and beyond but was concerned that foreigners might dominate sectors of the economy or exploit natural resources in ways that would trigger nationalist sensitivities. It is perhaps remarkable that the relations have been as good as they have given these fundamental concerns.

Indonesia figured prominently in my life, but my route to Indonesia was accidental. My objective on joining the Foreign Service in 1949 was to become a Middle Eastern specialist. When there were no openings in the Arabic studies programme, I accepted assignment in 1954–55 to the South Asia Studies programme at the University of Pennsylvania and served at diplomatic posts in Pakistan, India and later in 1976–77 as ambassador to Bangladesh.

In the spring of 1964, on graduating from the National War College, I was ready for overseas assignment.