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The country's economics supremo has expressed the hope that
the sweeping Democratic win in the U.S. congressional elections will
not result in a shift in that country's trade policies that could be to
the detriment of Indonesia.
Coordinating Minister for the Economy Boediono said that although the
Democrats usually adopted a more protectionistic stance in their
economic policies, he hoped it would not affect current trade relations
between the U.S. and Indonesia.
"The Democrats are usually concerned with human rights issues, and it
will be difficult if they now relate these to economic issues," he told
reporters Friday.
"But we hope this does not happen, and that we can still successfully
work together."
Boediono did not elaborate on what the Indonesian government would do
to anticipate any policy changes from the U.S. so as to protect
Indonesia's interests.
"We cannot say yet. We'll see later on," he said, adding that he
expected the current good trade and investment relations with the U.S.
would be maintained.
The Democratic Party wrenched control of the U.S. Congress from the
Republicans in the country's legislative elections earlier this week
amid public dissatisfaction about President Bush's handling of the war
in Iraq.
The Democrats have also taken a majority in the U.S. Senate, and
snatched several key governorships from the Republicans.
Indonesia has an interest in the U.S. election results, which may lead
to a more balanced sharing of power with the Republican administration,
as it is currently in preliminary talks with the U.S. on a free trade
agreement.
Meanwhile, economist Ichsanuddin Noorsy said Indonesia should adopt a
stronger stance in pursuing its interests -- including economic
interests -- during President Bush's upcoming visit to Indonesian on
Nov. 20.
"Indonesia should not feel inferior to or bow down to any U.S. pressure
as we also have our own advantages," he said.
From the economic perspective, Ichsanuddin said Indonesia's advantages
included its vast natural resources and huge market, which should be of
particular interest to the U.S. given that a slowing down of its
economy had recently become apparent. The U.S. was also in competition
with China, which had recently been active in reaching out to countries
in Asia and Africa in order to secure its own economic and
developmental interests.
Indonesia also has a geostrategic advantage, Ichsanuddin said, with the
U.S. wanting to maintain good relations with this country so as to
ensure the success of its own geopolitical agenda.
"Indonesia should even start flexing its muscles during the upcoming
APEC summit in Hanoi on Nov. 18, and not just act as a spectator during
the event," he said.
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