When wire services carried a so-called news about joint press statement after the meeting Lloyd Austin had with Indonesian defence minister Subianto Probowo later agreeing with American view on China and Russia surprised the entire world casting doubts over Indonesian neutrality. What is behind this US disinformation campaign?
The Pentagon note titled ‘United States Department of Defence and Indonesia Minister of Defence Joint Press Statement’ published on August 24 stated inter-alia the following two key points of supposed fake agreement under “Shared Vision”:
One: They shared the view that the People's Republic of China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Two: Secretary Austin and Minister Prabowo jointly condemned violations of national sovereignty, as reflected in United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1 dated 2 March 2022, as adopted by majority vote, which deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and demands its complete and unconditional withdrawal from the territory of Ukraine. (Courtesy: Department of Defence August 24, 2023)
Probowo on his part made a rebuttal while speaking to reporters on August 31 2023 “There is no joint statement and no press conference. What is important for me to underline is that our relationship with China is very good. We respect each other, we already have mutual understanding. I conveyed that in the US,” he said, adding “We are close friends with China, we respect America, and we seek friendship with Russia”.
Here is my take on the whole murky episode through the lens of business strategy amid geoeconomics:
1. America thought that BRICS is not inclined to accept Indonesia as a member. President Joko Widowo who attended the 15th BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg during 22-24 August 2023 did not find fault with BRICS, but made it known that Indonesia needs time to consider joining BRICS and wish to have dialogue with partners
2. By alluding to the two countries Russia and China and casting in the minds of the respective countries doubts about Indonesia’s avowed policy of neutrality, America believed that Indonesia can be brought close to the G 7 consensus on “rule based international order”
3. Generate a new perception in the mind op government & people of Indonesia that America is the friend they can count on more than Russia-China combo
4. When Russia & China took up this matter with Indonesian authorities Probowo did not take umbrage against America but handled the matter with astute diplomatic nicety emphasising:
a) There is no joint statement and no press conference
b) We are close friends with China, we respect America, and we seek friendship with Russia.
The matter ended there with lot of mud sticking upon US regarding disinformation campaign that would take quite some time to be cleaned up!
Cheers!
Muthu Ashraff Rajulu
Business Strategist
Mobile: + 94 777 265677
E-mail: cosmicgems@gmail.com
Blog: Business Strategist
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