JIMMY CARTER# NLC OP
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE8
Indonesia: Indonesia under President Suharto has been stable domestically and moderate in international affairs. Its policies and style contrast markedly with those of the late President Sukarno whose flamboyant leadership and flirtation with radical communist states led to foreignand economic stagnation. The present regime which assumed power6 is dominated by senior army officers and this is unlikely to change for the foreseeable future, despite periodic opposition from urban intellectuals and activist Muslims. Suharto's continued tenure would only be threatened if significant elements within the senior military turned against him but despite the occasional unhappiness of particular officers over specific policies or situations there is no evidence of general dissatisfaction with the Suharto leadership among those military men who count.
Indonesiamall but expanding modern economiccountry remains predominantly agricultural with two-thirds
the labor force absorbed in this relatively stagnant sector
the economy. Despite large investments of foreign capital
a reputationountry with vast natural resources,
per capita income remains among the lowest in
Asia. Moreover Indonesia can no longer rely on the oilhas financed much of its development thus far.
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foreign policy is dominated by the desire to
cooperation and stability among the five-member
for Southeast Asian Nations and to prevent great
power competition in the area. Indonesia has been aforce in the nonaligned movement and in third world
in general. It is deeply suspicious of China because
its presumed complicity in an abortive coup attempt in
Lately the radical anti-comnunist stance has moderated
somewhat but Indonesia has yet to lift the suspension of
diplomatic relations with Peking; it also keeps Moscow at arms
length.
Indonesia has depended heavily on the US for military and economic aid but this has lessened in recent years. The Indonesians are likely to seek reassurance that the US intends to continue toole in Asia. They will question the pressure placed on them over human rights and seek increased economic and military aid. They are also likely to bring up North/South issues in their self-professed roleeader of the moderate camp among the underdeveloped countries.
Original document.
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