PRESIDENT BUSH COURTESSY VISIT
TO INDONESIA

by Achiria Hidayati
International Relations

President George W. Bush making his courtesy visit for six hours to Indonesia on November 20, 2006 after having attended the APEC conference in Hanoi, Vietnam. This is his second visit as President and he was accompanied by his wife and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Condoleezza Rice. On this preparation Indonesia government spent IDR 6 billion not just that ten thousand military personnel, police officers, surveillance cameras and aircraft on guard to secure President Bush.

On this courtesy visit President Bush and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono discuss "soft power" issues such as education, health, bio energy, disaster handling and investment. There are some issues in this visit concerning US interest, such as Bio Energy. Bush said that he will develop bio energy technology considering world crude oil back up is getting thinner and also try to decrease dependency with Middle East country as the crude oil largest supplier in the world. Bush also said that Indonesia is a target of US investment aside from Japan. America has been Indonesia's largest trading partner for over the past three decades, for example Exxon and Freeport. On the education sector United States give a donation amounting US$ 157 billion (source: www.tempointeraktif.com) specifically for school program and said that will facilitate the Indonesian student to study there. President Bush also will require his officer to start a student exchange and disclose strip for student scholarship. For health sector USA agreed to give donation amounting US$ 35 million which will use to handle mother and children problem in Indonesia.

This six hours visit truly impact social and economic sector in particular Bogor society. For security alibi almost half of Bogor was paralyzed. There's prohibition for street vendors around Kebun Raya Bogor to sell since three days before President Bush arrival. Baranang Siang bus station also been closed on Monday at 6 am until 10 pm. So for Bogor society need to start their activity before 6 am and come home after 10 pm. This security system indirectly caused damage for economic life especially for trader and bus driver considering that was a part of Bogor society earnings.

This large impact make the whole Indonesia react for this visit. Some willing to accept in open handed and some didn't. Most of the side who agree is government, on contrary the side who refused are populace seen from protest against the visit have been held in many cities which involve a large number of mass from many different society.

Indonesian vice president, Mr. Jusuf Kalla said his positive opinion. He said that "..the meeting between President Yudhoyono and President Bush can improve relation between Indonesia and the US. But not all American policies should be applied by Indonesia. Religion teaches that guest must be honored. That we have differences of opinion is another matter". Among that, there are few of the government functional didn't give positive perspective with this visiting such as, Hidayat Nurwahid as a Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly. He said "..from the aspect of the budget and preparations of the security personnel, things have gone overboard. The government should receive Bush just as they do for the leaders of other countries, such as British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Bush is rejected here only because he has caused problems, but also because he once violated our sovereignty. When he came to Bali in 2003, Indonesia sovereignty in Bali was in America's hand".

Many side expected that the result of this courtesy visit did not end up meaningless for Indonesia, long term in particular. It is a new home work for President Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla to take action especially in economic sector considering in that visit both leader discuss about investment. How does Indonesian economic forecast after President Bush visit?.