Thursday, February 26, 2009

Good Start

It is good start for united Palestine. Thirteen factions of Palestine--including Fatah and Hamas-- agree today in Cairo to form five committees to prepare united government, general election, united army forces, national reconciliation and reformation of PLO.
There is still long road to go. The success of this start much depends on support of arab countries and international communities. Palestine people in Gaza and West Bank no longer have choice but unity to face terrible situation that have been left by recent Israeli war on Gaza and success of hard line to form Goverment in Israel.

Names for Presidency of RI

Almost all Indonesian Medias these days talk about Mr. Jusuf Kalla, Vice President of Indonesia's readiness statement to race for president in next July general election in Indonesia. Political map immediately changed. It broke two strong blocks with two popular figures: Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, incumbent president and Megawati Soekarnoputri, former president.
There are other names in the list: Prabowo Subianto, Rizal Ramli, Sultan Hamengkubuwono, Sutiyoso, etc. But those three names: Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Megawati Soekarnoputri and Jusuf Kalla are the strongest than the others.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Climate Cange: Radical Change on U.S. Policy

I remember how difficult U.S. representative was in saying 'yes' to Bali Road Map on Climate Change that issued in Bali of Indonesia, Dec, 2007. Now, as Obama Administration begins to work, clean energy becomes major issue in U.S. dealing with high cost fuel energy. Important amount of economic stimulus package that has been signed by President Obama will go to deal with clean energy and climate change issues.

There is no doubt that the impact of climate change affects our planet more serious than anytime before. While Victoria of Australia has been hitted by bushfire, flood attacked the other place of the country. London has lived the worst snow attacks in previous month. Our planet at whole is in serious impact of climate change.

I think that U.S. moving forward on climate change issues will be part of solution to the serious impact of climate change that we face. If all countries have same intention on the issue, our earth will be better place for all, now and in the future.

Back To The Track

U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton said that American national security based on three D: Defence, Diplomacy and Development.

She plays key role in two of them. Her first visit as Secretary of State to Asian Countries: Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and China will bring the two missions. The issues like American forces in Japan, economic recovery, developing stronger ties with Indonesia and North Korean nuclear program will be her talks with the officials in these countries.

I think U.S. is in serious efforts to back to the track in its foreign policies that has been worsen in recent eight years of Bush administration.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Let's Support Turkey

Turkey is now captivating millions of people around the world. Erdogan becomes a hero not only for Turks but also for Arab and Muslims. He represented, in his reaction to the emotional defence of Israeli President to the war on Gaza, rejection and condemnation of million of people around the world to the military action of Israeli forces in Gaza.
Now and in the future, Turkey will play more important role in the middle east. President of Palestine, Mahmud Abbas and President of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, visited Turkey and expressed their support to Turkey's role in supporting lasting peace in the region. Turkey also toke part as broker in indirect frezeed negotiation between Israel and Suriah.
Indeed, Middle East needs such brave and objective inisiator to promote peace in there.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Different Voices from Iraq and Afganistan

There were different voices in Iraq in one side and Afganistan in the other. Talking in Munich several days ago, President of Afganistan admitted that the situation in Afganistan after 7 years of what so called 'war against terrorism' is still terrible. He offered dialogue to Taliban. Yesterday, at least 20 people were killed in Taliban attack to the building of justice ministry.
Meanwhile, the situation in Iraq seems to be improved. Iraq Prime Minister, Nuri Al Maliki vocally asked US no to make so much intervention to entire Iraq affairs. The newest election in Iraq is also relatively carried out in condusive situation. If Iraq succeeded in building stable domocratic country, it will be good news of the region.
How much mideast need stable democratic countries in facing so many latent conflicts in the region.

More Difficult Chance to Peace

Right wing wins in Israeli election. Netanyahu can form goverment in coalition with other right parties: Israel Baiteinu and Shas Parties. Kadima in the center led by Livni also can for government only with coalition.
Right direction persicely means no peace seems to be acheived in near future.
On the other side, Hamas is actively moving to strengten ties with people and officials in Iran, Suriah, Sudan and other places. Khalid Meshal is warmly welcomed at every place he've visited.
It is really hard to imagine peace in such circumstance.

Monday, February 09, 2009

What a Paradox

It is the first time in American history; black president leads the U.S. Administration. President Obama not only welcomed by American people who voted him in the poll but also people around the world. It is amazing victory, amazing chance for hope and change.

But at same time, America faces one of the wosrt crisis in its history. Economy crisis is worse that it is predicted. Multi billion dollar of economy stimulus are now being debated in senate to bring U.S. exit from crisis.
It is no doubt that U.S will not be single player anymore in world affairs as the former US Presiden insisted to be in eight previous years.

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Dateline Davos: Obama's World

It was a very interesting talk. Christiane Amanpour, CNN Chief of International Correspondent, hosted a panel debate in Davos, Switzerland, aired in CNN, Feb 2. The Panelists were Foreign Minister of France, Iraq, Iran, Prime Minister of Kenya, Defence Minister of Afganistan and Director of IAEA. They talked about world and international affairs after Obama toke office as President of USA.
Read full transcript of the talk here.

Uncompleted Approach

Talking in 45th Munich Security Conference, Vice President of America, Joe Biden emphazises that world has changed and therefore we also must change.

US administration wants to hear, talk and build a better and more secure world for all. He will talk with Iran and Russia; work seriously to achieve lasting peace between Palestine and Israel; and continue to support Afganistan and Iraq to be a stable country.

The message of the speech is clear. The right way to solve the conflict is by engaging all parts in the conflict in talk, not isolating them. Unfortunately, niether US or EU will talk with Hamas. It is very difficult to solve the Palestine-Israel conflict without talking with Hamas because Gaza is still under control of Hamas and other resistance forces there.