LKO, I respect you opinion, and I really may have oversimplified. However, considering the possibility that there may be power vacuum should Suharto die tomorrow, is another good point IMO not to consider Indonesia at this time. A guy in the office for 30 years, eliminating all the opposition, cannot be good for the social development in any country. Instead of "small step policy adjustments" as necessitated by a system of free elections every 4 years or so (ideally), such long oppressed countries or ethnic or religious or political minorities within such a country may choose to try enforcing these changes in 30 weeks instead, the result of that being weak governments and coalitions at best and chaos and civic strive at worst. Of course, JMHO.
In fact the only example to the contrary may be recent South Africa who has a charismatic and well-respected leader. But he was allways there, even during the times of deepest Apartheid. But who is the Mandela of Indonesia?
Thomas |
