Waitaminnit:
According to the US President Indonesia is a model for the rest of the world to follow:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11723650
Money quote:
In his address, he touched on the four years he spent in the country as a child and emphasised the importance of Indonesia's example as a growing economy and a majority-Muslim nation that is largely tolerant of other religions.
"Today, I return to Indonesia as a friend, but also as a president who seeks a deep and enduring partnership between our two countries," he said.
"Because as vast and diverse countries; as neighbours on either side of the Pacific; and above all as democracies - the United States and Indonesia are bound together by shared interests and shared values."
He also highlighted the role religion had played in Indonesia's development, praising the country's spirituality and "rich diversity".
"Just as individuals are not defined solely by their faith, Indonesia is defined by more than its Muslim population," he said.
Something makes me question whether the likes of Sukarno or Suharto were really devout Muslims. I also wonder if there's something strange in referring to the country responsible for one of the more recent and notorious genocides outside of Africa as a democracy. It does not seem to me a society willing to massacre people the way Suharto did the East Timorese can be called democratic in any serious sense of the term.
It is nice to see a US President visiting Indonesia, however, given that this is the fourth-largest country in the world in terms of sheer population, and also the one water wars are most likely to start in. IMHO if the USA can get good relationships with Indonesia *before* the water wars start that would make the trip worth it. Referring to Indonesia as democratic IMHO, however, is akin to referring to the Congo as a democratic republic.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11723650
Money quote:
In his address, he touched on the four years he spent in the country as a child and emphasised the importance of Indonesia's example as a growing economy and a majority-Muslim nation that is largely tolerant of other religions.
"Today, I return to Indonesia as a friend, but also as a president who seeks a deep and enduring partnership between our two countries," he said.
"Because as vast and diverse countries; as neighbours on either side of the Pacific; and above all as democracies - the United States and Indonesia are bound together by shared interests and shared values."
He also highlighted the role religion had played in Indonesia's development, praising the country's spirituality and "rich diversity".
"Just as individuals are not defined solely by their faith, Indonesia is defined by more than its Muslim population," he said.
Something makes me question whether the likes of Sukarno or Suharto were really devout Muslims. I also wonder if there's something strange in referring to the country responsible for one of the more recent and notorious genocides outside of Africa as a democracy. It does not seem to me a society willing to massacre people the way Suharto did the East Timorese can be called democratic in any serious sense of the term.
It is nice to see a US President visiting Indonesia, however, given that this is the fourth-largest country in the world in terms of sheer population, and also the one water wars are most likely to start in. IMHO if the USA can get good relationships with Indonesia *before* the water wars start that would make the trip worth it. Referring to Indonesia as democratic IMHO, however, is akin to referring to the Congo as a democratic republic.