*If there are images in this attachment, they will not be displayed.* Download the original attachment *Page 1* 20 world news *T* O*DAY* •*Thursday *• November 23, 2006 *AWKWARD DANCE* *IN JAKARTA* CHAD BOUCHARD news@newstoday.com.sg FOLLOWING United States President George Bush’s visit to Indonesia this week, Presi- dent Susilo Bambang Yudhoy- ono’s political stature may have fallen among the electorate, while increasing on the interna- tional stage, analysts say. Jakarta has a lot to gain from bilateral diplomatic ties which have grown closer over the last few years. But with rising voter anger over US policies in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Dr Yud- hoyono’s power under siege, the Indonesian-US courtship makes for an awkward dance. The agenda for the meeting in the city of Bogor focused on US aid for health and education. With anti-US protests mount- ing in the run-up to the visit, how- ever, Dr Yudhoy- ono publicly urged Mr Bush to come up with an exit plan for Iraq. But his com- ments fell short of demanding a timeline. “The fact that he raised Iraq and Palestine, and Lebanon prob- ably redounds to his credit for a domestic audience,” said Ms Sid- ney Jones, director of the Jakar- ta office of the International Cri- sis Group. Keeping away from contro- versial issues is just good politics, said Mr James Van Zorge, man- aging partner of Van Zorge, Hef- fernan and Associates, a gov- ernment relations firm in Jakarta. “In general, if you want to en- gage the Indonesian leadership and public — stay away from the war on terror. It’s something the President doesn’t want to be seen in public as discoursing on too much with the American President,” he said. Though the subject may be taboo, Indonesia receives vital aid from the US for anti-terror- ism efforts. Hundreds of terror suspects have been detained as a result of that partnership. Dr Yudhoyono stands on in- creasingly shaky ground. He has come under fire for poor recov- ery efforts following the 2004 tsunami and the recent quake near Yogyakarta. Dr Yudhoyono and Vice-Pres- ident Jusuf Kalla also recently had a public falling-out over con- trol of the government’s agen- da. Mr Kalla’s party, Golkar — the most powerful in Indonesia — threatened to withdraw its sup- port for the Yudhoyono govern- ment, and is now demanding a larger leadership role. Mr Kalla is widely expected to run for President in 2009, though he has denied the rumours. Still, the President has been seen to be on the defensive in his own country. According to Professor Maswadi Rauf of the University of Indonesia, Golkar has little to gain from using Mr Bush’s visit against Dr Yudhoyono. Law- makers, he said, are aware that the relationship is too sensitive to plumb for political gain. “The po- tential for the US to help In- donesia is very strong. Mr Bush needs a good relationship with Indone- sia so he can increase his standing, and the Indonesian government needs to take advantage of this relationship,” he said. During the meeting, Mr Bush welcomed Indonesia to the United Nations Security Council. Mr Bush’s nod helped to place the two leaders on level ground, and boosted Dr Yud- hoyono’s international image, said political commentator Ted Meinhover, who studies at Uni- versity of Minnesota in the US. “Indonesia is expanding their international role,” he said. “Their role as a secular country with a moderate Islamic voice makes them a key crossroads between East and West.” But respect among the in- ternational community may hold little sway on Indonesian public opinion. Indonesian officials es- timate security costs for the stopover at US$660,000 ($1 mil- lion). With 18,000 police officers patrolling the area around the presidential palace, and the city virtually shut down for the day, the lasting impression of the visit may be one of disruption. “It made an overwhelming- ly negative impression in In- donesia because of the huge amount of preparations,” said Ms Jones. “Just for a six-hour visit.” AFP KEY ALLY: Dr Yudhoyono avoided con- troversial issues during Mr Bush’s visit. *Bush’s daughter robbed at dinner* *despite Secret Service protection* *WASHINGTON *— Ms Barbara Bush, one of the daughters of United States President George W Bush, has been robbed of her mobile phone and purse in Argentina, despite her heavy Secret Service protection. /ABC News /reported that her purse was snatched at a Buenos Aires restau- rant during a night on the town, but the Secret Service agents did not notice. Barbara, named for the President’s mother, and her twin sister, Jenna, turn 25 on Saturday. The twins were dining in San Telmo, Buenos Aires’ picturesque arts and dining neighbourhood. /ABC /reported that the theft was not the only difficulty the Secret Ser- vice faced during the fraternal twins’ two-week visit. One of the agents got into an “altercation” after a night on the town and was beaten, the television news organisation said, citing police re- ports. — AFP Bush’s visit is a plus and minus for SBY AFP ROBBED: Barbara Bush, seen here with her father, was in Argentina with her twin sister Jenna.