The presence of Indonesian Ambassador to Norway Esti Andayani at the Bali Democracy Forum probably has nothing to do with China’s appeal to the world community not to send representatives to the ceremony to present the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize to imprisoned Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo on Friday. China has prohibited Liu or anyone else from receiving the prize, which comes with 10 million Swedish kronor (US$1.4 million).
Perhaps it was asking too much to expect Indonesia to incur China's displeasure. The recent surge in 'Indonesia is the greatest' nationalism is strictly for the domestic audience, not for cultivating an international reputation. And maybe, as Purba writes in the Jakarta Post, Indonesia is not yet in the position to start taking a stand on anything much, least of all human rights. The country has come a long way since the kleptomania and thuggery of Suharto, but still has some way to go.
But Timor-Leste seems to have been silent on the issue (has Ramos-Horta said anything yet? - ETAN does not seem to think so). The Nobel prize served a good cause when it embarrassed Indonesia in 1996 when it was given to Ramos-Horta and Bishop Belo. Just because it was uncomfortable for Asians to see Indonesia 'lose face', does not diminish the purpose of inducing such shame.
The same principle should apply to China: let them feel the shame of being such a weak state that the only way they can ensure stability is to suppress peaceful dissent.
Of course it may be a bit tough asking Timor-Leste to take the lone stand against China on this. It could even be perceived as ingratitude, as China was the only constant friend of an independent Timor-Leste during the occupation, when Australia, Europe and the USA were all appeasing Suharto.
And let us not forget that China has built so many huge and glorious buildings in Dili, and has allowed so many Chinese labourers to come and work here to help re-build the city, thus relieving the local people of the cares of paid labour and the burden of disposable income. China even offered to sell the country one of its obsolete heavy fuel oil plants, which would have been invaluable for generating power with 1950's emission standards.
However, PM Xanana did make a clever coded reference to Democracy in a speech to the Bali Democracy Forum this week, by drawing attention to Burma, saying that he was pleased to "witness the progress in Myanmar, which has led to the release of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ms Aung Sang Suu Kyi. This is a decisive step towards democracy and we all urge constructive dialogue towards peace in this country". Xanana manages here to imply that the Nobel prize is associated with a struggle for democracy, and implicitly chastises China as a key supporter of the odious Burma military regime. However, in the same speech he also says "one cannot help but be amazed by the success of China, an important development partner of ours".
Like many countries in the world, both Indonesia and Timor-Leste have complicated relationships with China. Perhaps it is unreasonable to expect them to risk everything by standing up for abstractions such as democracy and human rights. After all, we did not do a great job of it when Timor-Leste was the victim.
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