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The 12th USINDO congressional staff delegation (STAFFDEL) was conducted during August 26- September 3. The composition of the delegation reflected both an institutional and partisan balance: two from the Senate and four from the House; two Republicans and four Democrats. The staffers were selected specifically on the basis of their members’ involvement in international affairs, including service on the committees that affect the authorization and appropriations process with respect to Indonesia. A highlight of the trip was a tour of the tsunami devastation area in Aceh. Meetings in Jakarta included appointments with the Speaker of the MPR, the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Staff of the TNI.
The members of the delegation were active participants in each day’s events. For this visit we continued the practice of identifying a "Chairman" for the day, that staff member who was responsible for moderating the exchanges between the delegation and the other participants.
Without exception, the delegation expressed their satisfaction with all aspects of the visit, including transportation arrangements and lodging facilities and the substantive content of the program. The tangible benefits from this experience are already emerging. Since returning to the Washington, House delegation participants enlisted the support of their Members for a resolution that was passed by the full House congratulating the Government of Indonesia on the resolution of the Aceh dispute.
As a result of past staff delegation visits, there are now over 75 staff people from both houses who have participated in this program. By maintaining active ties with them, USINDO, as well as the Indonesian Embassy, expects to enhance our access to the legislative processes that impact on U.S.-Indonesian interests.
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USINDO sponsored its 11th congressional staff delegation to Indonesian during the period August 28th to September 5th. The delegation consisted of 5 staff people, specifically selected on the basis of their members' relevance to Indonesian affairs. This delegation included two staff members from the House Indonesia Caucus; one from the influential Senate Foreign Operations Subcommittee, one from the House Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific; and one from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The itinerary of the visit involved three and one half days in Jakarta, one day in Jogjakarta, and two days in Bali.
The program was a comprehensive series of events that covered all aspects of the U.S. –Indonesia relationship. In Jakarta, the delegation participated in an tightly packed schedule of meetings and appointments that included group sessions such as a breakfast with the American Chamber of Commerce, a late afternoon meeting with KADIN, a lively exchange with human rights NGOs; a meeting with prominent jurists, including a Supreme Court judge, regarding legal reforms; and a luncheon with leading media personalities. Appointments with government officials included the Finance Minister, the Foreign Minister, and the National Police Chief. During the Jakarta segment, the delegation participated in four breakfast meetings, three luncheon meetings; three office calls; a morning visit to a USAID project and a half day briefing by the country team. Additionally, the delegation attended four evening social events.
In Jogjakarta the principal theme was education and culture. The main features were a visit to Gajah Mada University, including the "American Corner" resource center there, and to the Pesantren Sunan Pandaranan located on the outskirts of Jogjakarta. These activities were important people-to-people experiences and there were particularly enlightening discussions with students at both the Pesantren and University. The Bali program was comprised of discussions with the U.S. Ambassador to East Timor, Joseph Grover Rees, and Police General Pastika, head of the National Police in Bali and leader of the investigation into the Bali bombing.
The members of the delegation were active participants in each day's events. For this visit we established the practice of identifying a "Chairman" for the day, that staff member who was responsible for moderating the exchanges between the delegation and the other participants.
Without exception, the delegation expressed their satisfaction with all aspects of the visit, including transportation arrangements and lodging facilities and the substantive content of the program. The tangible benefits from this experience are already emerging. Since returning to the Washington, House delegation participants have succeeded in recruiting three new members for the Indonesia caucus and an additional co-sponsor of a draft House resolution congratulating Indonesia on the successful conduct of its national elections in April and July. On the Senate side, the two participating staff members will investigate the feasibility of establishing a Senate caucus or the expansion of the House caucus into a bicameral organization.
As a result of past staff delegation visits, there are now over 60 staff people from both houses who have participated in this program. The Indonesian Embassy is moving to cement relations with these influential congressional staff members by organizing a "reunion" of past participants in October. By maintaining active ties with them, USINDO, as well as the Indonesian Embassy, expects to enhance our access to the legislative processes that impact on U.S.-Indonesian interests.
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Staffers meet with President Megawati Soearnoputri and Foreign Minister Hasan Wirajuda at the State Palace in August 2002.
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"For the region and the world, Indonesia's democratization project is critical. From my visit to Indonesia I developed the impression that a lot of the tools are there, it is just a question of sharpening them." - Patrick Wilson, Counsel, Senator Brownback
Program Overview: During the month of August 2002 The United States-Indonesia Society sponsored a successful Congressional Staff Orientation Program to Indonesia. The program offers visiting delegations several days of near total immersion and opportunities to engage in discussions on a range of topics spanning domestic and regional politics, economics and the U.S. Indonesia relationship. The composition of meetings allows for policy discussions with the highest level government officials including the president, key legislators, civil society leaders and members of the security apparatus, as well as representatives from academic, judicial and religious institutions and the press. The meeting schedule also allocates time for substantial interaction with U.S. government officials, development practitioners, and representatives of major U.S. companies with investments and business in Indonesia. Since 1994 USINDO has sponsored nine such staff delegations with 64 participants in the program to date. This program is made possible through generous support from the Starr Foundation.
The August 2002 Staffdel:
Like its predecessors, this visit was conducted with substantial programming assistance from the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, The Asia Foundation, and The Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS-Jakarta). The delegation represents members of the U.S. Congress from both political parties and spanned congressional committees and caucuses ranging from International Relations, Appropriations, Commerce, Foreign Agriculture, Energy, Judiciary, Internet & Intellectual Property, Armed Services, Intelligence and National Security, and Human Rights.
The group consisted of the following legislative aides:
- 1. Juliane C. Sullivan – Senior Appropriations Advisor for House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-TX)
- 2. James Smith – Special Assistant to Congressman J.C. Watts (R-OK)
- 3. Mariia Zimmerman – Legislative Director, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
- 4. Doug Campbell – Legislative Director, Congressman Berman (D-CA)
- 5. Patrick Wilson – Legislative Counsel, Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kansas)
- 6. Tom Kahn – Minority Staff Director, House Budget Committee
- 7. Emily Bacque – Legislative Assistant, Senator John Breaux (D-LA) Chief Deputy Whip
USINDO President Paul Cleveland accompanied this Congressional Staff delegation. While in Jakarta they met with senior Indonesian government officials including President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Vice President Hamzah Haz, all three senior coordinating ministers, top legislators, U.S. government officials, the corporate community and many civil society leaders.
From substantive meetings with government officials and discussions with leading public and private civil society leaders the group gained new understanding of the complexities of Indonesia’s ongoing political transition and the importance of U.S-Indonesian engagement. Roundtable discussions with practitioners and expert panelists covered key issues challenging Indonesia: legal reform, decentralization, civil-military relations, Islam and democratization, and electoral reform. In separate meetings with civil society leaders, top government officials and members of the media the group gathered additional insight on issues ranging from human rights, religious/ethnic conflict, labor, trade/investment/banking, resource/environmental management, politics/security, and the state of the media/role of free press.
Despite the relatively brief time in country it was apparent at a debriefing session that they all had a newfound appreciation of Indonesia’s importance and complexity. They voiced strong concern about weak legal institutions and law enforcement and pervasive violence and corruption as the most pressing problems for President Megawati Soekarnoputri’s coalition government. There was consensus that how Indonesia addresses security threats, introduces needed constitutional reforms and carries out decentralization will have enormous implications for the region and the United States. The group also recognized Indonesia’s economic difficulties and the challenges American companies are facing given the legal uncertainties, political and security risks.
The group also made points of their own. In separate meetings with the coordinating minister for political and security affairs, the foreign minister, and the chief of staff of the army they urged their hosts to continue pursuit of democratic reforms, justice and accountability in governance. They sought reaffirmation of commitments made by the government to pursue a peaceful negotiated settlement to the separatist conflict in Aceh, and to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of human rights violations in that province and in Papua and East Timor.
In a new departure, the August delegation had a two hour dialogue with an assortment of MPs and staffers from Indonesia’s Parliament during which they not only exchanged views but advised the Indonesians on the budget process, conducting hearings and the overall legislative process. The expectation is that this interchange will continue in months and years to come.
Members of the group believed that what they had learned would be useful in advising their principals on policies and programs. The group was divided on the critical question of whether the U.S. government should aim to fully restore bilateral military relations in order to bring Indonesia into the broad coalition against terrorism. While recognizing the need for support in strengthening Indonesia’s capacity to protect its borders, and maintain security, most in the group concluded that the U.S. Government should continue to pressure Indonesia to counter militant and extremist Islamic groups that resort to violence, investigate and prosecute members of the Indonesian armed forces and militias responsible for human rights violations in Indonesia and East Timor. Accountability of human rights abuses by the armed forces and the Indonesian government’s full compliance with the terms of the Leahy Amendment was seen as critical to demonstrating Indonesia’s commitment to democratic reform. The week prior to the USINDO staff delegation, Indonesia witnessed both a step forward (constitutional amendments enacting the removal military & police seats in the People’s Consultative Assembly or MPR) and a setback (with the compromised prosecution and subsequent acquittals of senior military officers indicted on gross human rights violations in East Timor) in establishing more democratic civil-military relations.
Society Trustees hosted an informal dinner for the group on January 16 attended by over 150 people from the business, NGO, government, diplomatic and academic community. Former foreign minister and CoChair of the USINDO Board of Advisors Alex Alatas made brief remarks about Indonesian reactions to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and the importance of strengthening mutual understanding between the United States and Indonesia. U.S. Ambassador Ralph Boyce delivered an address about ties between our two countries, cooperation in the war on terrorism, and the importance of exchanges such as USINDO’s Congressional staff orientation program to strengthen understanding between the two countries.
Sponsors for the USINDO dinner included: Kaltim Prima Coal, PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia, ExxonMobil Corporation, PT Freeport Indonesia, Unocal Indonesia, PT Newmont Pacific Nusantara, and Dow Chemical.
A dinner with local and foreign news correspondents was hosted by USINDO Jakarta Representative Victor Siburian for the group. Correspondents from Kompas, Tempo, Media Indonesia, CNN, Far Eastern Economic Review, TIME, AP, New York Times and Internews attended.
The group met with expert staff at the U.S. Embassy and received briefings on transitional development assistance projects funded by USAID. In Yogyakarta the group visited a community radio station promoting pluralism, social cohesion and interfaith harmony organized by Catholic Relief Services and receiving funding from USAID. In Bali the group spent a full day with the U.S. Representative to East Timor, Charge d’affaires Shari Villarosa, for a comprehensive briefing on progress post-independence, U.S. support in that regard, capacity building of democratic institutions, infrastructure reconstruction and relations with Indonesia and ASEAN.
Below are some of the comments we have received from participants:
"I can't fully express my appreciation for your hosting me on the USINDO trip. What a remarkable, unforgettable experience! Having participated in a number of staffdels, I am so impressed by the organization, professionalism and overall caliber of this trip. You made such good use of our time and I can’t thank you enough. What a fabulous experience." – Juliane C. Sullivan, Senior Appropriations Advisor, House Majority Whip Tom Delay (R-TX)
"USINDO secured meetings with the country's top leadership, from President Megawati to the vice president and the head of the armed services, as well as the many non-governmental organizations. This demonstrated the seriousness that The U.S.-Indonesia Society takes Indonesia's relationship with Congress and the confidence that the Indonesians have in USINDO." – James Smith, Special Assistant to House Republican Conference Chairman J.C. Watts
"It is overwhelming to see the enormous problems Indonesia has to come to grips with. But likewise people are aware of these problems, receptive to advice and assistance and they are trying to make progress. I am encouraged by the fact that reforms are taking place and the country appears to be on track." – Emily Bacque, LA Senator Breaux
"The USINDO program, both in terms of quality of meetings and the level of access, was unparalleled. The growth of Indonesia's middle class and the institutionalization of legal certainty is crucial. I am encouraged." – Tom Kahn, Minority Staff Director, House Budget Committee
"I was very encouraged by the widespread commitment to reform among Indonesian government officials, but I remain troubled by the Indonesian military's lack of accountability. It should be a very high priority for the U.S. to support the continuing development of democracy in Indonesia, a moderate Muslim country and key partner in Southeast Asia." – Doug Campbell, LD Congressman Berman
"I shall be processing all I learned and saw in Indonesia for many months. The visit was incredibly useful. I look forward to continuing to be involved and engaged with USINDO." – Mariia Zimmerman, Chief of Staff, Congressman Blumenauer
"China has many of the same problems as Indonesia, particularly in terms of its weak legal infrastructure. But China is far weaker on civil society and has effectively squashed NGOs and intellectuals, from where all the best ideas could be coming from. For the region and the world, Indonesia’s democratization project is critical. From my visit to Indonesia I developed the impression that a lot of the tools are there, it is just a question of sharpening them." – Patrick Wilson, Counsel, Senator Brownback
"I was particularly pleased that we had the opportunity to express to the Indonesians how seriously we take the war on terrorism, how much we appreciate Indonesia's support, and how important Indonesia's Muslim leaders are to this effort. It may take time for us to convince some of our Muslim friends that this is not a war against Islam, but hopefully we went a little way towards that on this trip." – James Smith, Special Assistant to House Republican Conference Chairman J.C. Watts.
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Front Row (L-R): George Dalley, Tom LaFaille, Tom Loo, Daniel Getz, Kathie Scarrah, Dave Safavian
Back Row (L-R): Paul Cleveland, Chuck Brimmer, John McCamman, Ed McDonald, David Dettoni.
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Program Overview: The United States-Indonesia Society recently completed its eighth congressional staff delegation to Indonesia, this time accompanying a diverse group of ten senior legislative aides to Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Bali from January 13-20, 2002. The visit was conducted with substantial programming assistance from the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta and the Asia Foundation. The delegation represents members of the U.S. Congress from both political parties and spans congressional committees and caucuses ranging from International Relations, Appropriations, Commerce, Foreign Agriculture, Energy, Judiciary, Internet & Intellectual Property, Armed Services, Intelligence and National Security, and Human Rights. All held key advisory positions and four were chiefs of staff.
From substantive meetings with top government officials and discussions with leading public and private civil society leaders the group gained new understanding of the complexities of Indonesia's ongoing political transition. Roundtable discussions with practitioners and expert panelists covered topics including legal reform, decentralization, civil-military relations, human rights, religious/ethnic conflict, labor, trade/investment/banking, resource/environmental management, politics/security, and the state of the media/role of free press.
The group consisted of the following legislative aides:
- 1. Chuck Brimmer – Chief Of Staff, Congressman Pete Visclosky (D-IN)
- 2. George Dalley – Counsel Congressman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY)
- 3. Dave Dettoni – Senior Legislative Assistant, Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA)
- 4. Thomas LaFaille – Administrative Assistant,Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA)
- 5. Tom Loo – Senior Economist, Minority Staff, Senate Banking Committee
- 6. John McCamman – Chief of Staff, Congressman George Radanovich (R-CA)
- 7. Ed McDonald – Chief of Staff, Congressman Howard Coble (R-NC)
- 8. Dave Safavian – Chief of Staff, Congressman Chris Cannon (R-UT)
- 9. Kathie Scarrah – Communications Director, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)
- 10. Pete Spiro – Legislative Director, Congressman Tim Roemer (D-IN)
In a debriefing session the group echoed many of the observations and concerns of leading experts on Indonesia, despite the relatively brief time the group spent in the country. They voiced strong concern about violence and corruption as the most pressing problems for President Megawati Soekarnoputri's coalition government and the fractious state of relations between parliament and her presidency. There was consensus that how Indonesia addresses security threats, introduces needed constitutional reforms and carries out decentralization will have enormous implications for the region and the United States. The group also recognized Indonesia’s economic difficulties and the challenges American companies are facing given the political and security risks coupled with weak legal infrastructure and law enforcement.
In separate meetings with the coordinating minister for political and security affairs, the foreign minister, and the chief of staff of the army the group urged their hosts to continue pursuit of democratic reforms, justice and accountability in governance. They also sought reaffirmation of commitments made by the government to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of human rights violations in Indonesia and East Timor.
Members of the group believed that what they had learned would be useful in advising their principals on policies and programs. They were particularly impressed (as were we) by the exceptionally strong endorsement that the American Chamber of Commerce board members gave the United States AID program and U.S. efforts to help build democratic institutions.
The group was divided on the critical question of whether the U.S. government should aim to fully restore bilateral military relations in order to bring Indonesia into the broad coalition against terrorism. Most in the group concluded that the U.S. Government should not give Indonesia the wrong signals and risk foregoing investigations and prosecutions of members of the Indonesian armed forces and militias responsible for human rights violations in Indonesia and East Timor. Accountability of human rights abuses by the armed forces and the Indonesian government's full compliance with the terms of the Leahy Amendment was seen as critical to demonstrating Indonesia's commitment to break away from a culture of military impunity and political domination to a new paradigm where the TNI yields to civilian government.
"I came away from the visit with the impression that there is a minimal threat from terrorism. I would not advocate reengaging the TNI on the basis of the threat of terrorism," said George Dalley, Counsel for Congressman Rangel (D-NY). "I was impressed by the differences between Islam in Indonesia and that practiced in the Middle East," George added. "I'm impressed with the good things USAID and other donors are doing in Indonesia. We can really differentiate our policies and mitigate some of the root causes of radicalism like addressing socioeconomic problems."
"If I hadn't read the Wall Street Journal article about terrorism on the day our group departed for Jakarta I would never have known there was anything going on in Indonesia," offered David Dettoni, Senior LA for Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA). "USAID has had a hand in and met with success in strengthening civil society in Indonesia," he added.
John McCamman, Chief of Staff for Congressman Radanovich, cautioned that even by some accounts if "emerging conservative Muslim elements amount to only 10% of the population that is equivalent to 21 million people which is far from insignificant."
Dave Safavian, Chief of Staff for Congressman Cannon (R-UT) drew parallels between Indonesia and Iran in the late 1970s and placed value in supporting military ties to counter rising militancy in the Islamist movement.
"I am of the camp that sees a value in constructive engagement [with the Indonesian military] in the framework of neutralizing threats to Indonesia's domestic security and regional stability," said Tom Lafaille, AA for Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA).
On another topic, Tom Loo, a senior economist on the Senate Banking Committee, was disheartened by what he called "a breakdown" in social services, particularly education and public health. "There is a lost generation of young dropouts which could have explosive consequences in 5-10 years. These people will be very susceptible to radical ideas."
Society Trustees hosted an informal dinner for the group on January 16 attended by over 100 people from the business, NGO, government, diplomatic and academic community. Former Ambassador to the United States Dr. Arifin Siregar made brief remarks about Indonesian reactions to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and the importance of strengthening mutual understanding between the United States and Indonesia. Congressional staff participants also shared their impressions from the Jakarta portion of the visit. Sponsors for the USINDO dinner included: Citibank, Kaltim Prima Coal, Eli Lilly and Company, PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia, ExxonMobil Corporation, BP Indonesia, PT Freeport Indonesia, Unocal Indonesia, PT Newmont Pacific Nusantara, and Edison Mission Energy.
A dinner with local and foreign news correspondents was hosted by Asia Foundation Representative Dr. Douglas Ramage for the group. Correspondents from Kompas, Tempo, Media Indonesia, CNN, Far Eastern Economic Review, TIME, Associated Press, Singapore Straits Times, Asian Wall Street Journal, and Internews attended.
The group observed an urban transitional assistance development site in Jakarta conducted by Mercy Corps International and funded by USAID. They also visited a community radio station in Yogyakarta and an Interfaith food distribution program organized by Catholic Relief Services receiving funding from USAID. Both programs provide information and support for farmers and advocate pluralism, democratization and economic empowerment.
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Program Overview: Nine senior legislative aides (six were chiefs of staff) from the United States Congress traveled to Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Bali January 15-22 under the auspices of The United States-Indonesia Society. The group met with top government officials, a broad range of Indonesian and American private business leaders, NGOs, members of the press and their legislative counterparts.
The group met with President Abdurrachman Wahid, Kwik Kian Gie Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance & Industry, Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security General Wiranto, Minister for Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab, State Minister for Human Rights Hasballah Saad, Minister for Education Yahya Muhaimin, Attorney General Marzuki Darusman, Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly Amien Rais, and Speaker of Parliament Akbar Tanjung.
The group consisted of the following legislative aides:
- 1. Brad Smith, chief of staff for Representative David Dreier (R-CA)
- 2. Paul Matulic, legislative assistant for Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT)
- 3. Rob Leebern, chief of staff for Representative Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
- 4. Don Carlson, chief of staff for Representtive Bill Archer (R-TX)
- 5. Nicole Venable Smith, senior policy advisor for Representative William J. Jefferson (D-LA)
- 6. Mark Brown, chief of staff for Representative Tim Roemer (D-IN)
- 7. Sheila Murphy, foreign policy advisor for Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD)
- 8. Karen Frederickson, chief of staff for Representative Earl Pomeroy (D-ND)
- 9. Jamal Simmons, chief of staff for Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-MI).
Senator Daschle is Senate Minority Leader and chairman of the Senate Democratic Conference, Bill Archer is chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee, and David Dreier is chairman of the House Rules Committee. The other members sit on key committees with policy oversight on Indonesia.
The official program began with a briefing by Ambassador Robert S. Gelbard and heads of the U.S. Embassy political, economic, defense, agriculture and trade sections and USAID mission director. Another briefing was organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia and allowed for a frank exchange about business opportunities and risks in this country, trade and legal regimes, macroeconomic trends and civil-military relations. Douglas Ramage, The Asia Foundation representative in Jakarta, accompanied the staff on their Jakarta calls and provided background briefings during that portion of the visit.
Separate off-the-record exchanges were arranged with both local press and foreign news correspondents. Senior editors from Forum Keadilan and Tempo, two of Indonesia's most prominent news weeklies, hosted the group at a dinner and discussion covering the newfound freedoms enjoyed by the media, the evolving role and responsibility of the local press and its relationship with various branches of government. The exchange with foreign news correspondents was hosted by InterNews, an NGO active in many countries assisting radio and internet media professionals with the development of their own capacity for application of latest technology, training and content programming. Jay Solomon, correspondent for The Wall Street Journal and John McBeth, Bureau Chief for The Far Eastern Economic Review, shared their views on the new government's capacity to deal with communal violence, civil-military relations, and U.S.-Indonesia ties.
Society Board of Trustees Cochair Emil Salim hosted an informal dinner for the group on January 19 attended by over 75 people from the business, NGO, government, diplomatic and academic community. Professor Salim made brief remarks on the first 100 days of the National Unity Cabinet and reflected on his role and priorities as head of the National Economic Council advising the new government on economic policy. He also responded to questions from the audience and invited four of the congressional staff participants to share their impressions.
Several participants requested meetings with representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) which the Society arranged. These exchanges with the ICRC deputy head of delegation and UNHCR deputy regional representative provided firsthand accounts of the conditions in refugee camps in West Timor and the status of the transfer of sovereignty in East Timor.
In Yogyakarta the group visited the nearby town of Boyolali to meet with religious leaders who have formed an inter-faith committee engaged in various activities promoting development of peaceful and productive ties between their communities. These activities are being supported by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) which has expanded inter-faith programs from emergency food distribution, food for work schemes and the development of a social network where conflicts can be resolved quickly.
Initial feedback from participants:
"This visit was a tremendous help to us all," said Don Carlson. "I came to Indonesia in 1997 and it was great to return after three years to see firsthand the changes this important country is making. The understanding we in Congress have about Indonesia is lacking. Coming here makes a great impression."
"We have to stay engaged here," said Nicole Venable Smith. "If we give Indonesia the time it needs to grow as a democracy, it will be very worthwhile for U.S. companies that have a presence here and others that hope to," she said. " I really enjoyed the stop in Yogyakarta for the rich cultural experience we were afforded there."
"Indonesia has intersected with my professional life and it is an inspirational place," said Paul Matulic. "I have an enormous amount of respect for the Indonesian people. I have never been on a trip offering such high caliber meetings and that is testament to the degree of interest Indonesia’s leadership has to engage foreigners."
"The visit was very useful," Sheila Murphy said. "Half of the value to us [professional congressional staff] is hearing not just what Americans have to say but what Indonesians have to say. This is a very new government in Indonesia and maybe we helped them by raising some of the questions we did. Apart from the core meetings in Jakarta, the site visit in Yogyakarta arranged by Catholic Relief Services was a valuable addition. USINDO should build in more interaction with members of Indonesia’s legislative branch in the future. I was pleased that USINDO involved people from the U.S. Embassy and Doug Ramage from The Asia Foundation."
"The people we met with answered our toughest questions and did so honestly," said Mark Brown. "They seemed encouraged by the message we were bringing and that was our desire to strengthen U.S.-Indonesia relations. This was the most informative and interesting trip I have been on. I feel that the way we were received by the president and other officials enabled us to have a substantive impact at this especially important time in Indonesia’s history."
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