---------------------------------------------------------- FREE for JOIN Indonesia Daily News Online via EMAIL: go to: http://www.indo-news.com/subscribe.html - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - Dengan mengClick banner sponsor anda menyumbang Rp. 1000,- untuk HomePage IndoNews. ---------------------------------------------------------- Finnegan: Xanana and Mandela I have lamented a number of times in the past about the lack of real leaders in Indonesia. What Indonesia needs is a real leader whose credential is based on his/her vision for the future, ability, intellect, political ideas, someone who understands the difference between the rule of laws and the rule of power and the real meaning of struggle. Indonesia does not another leader whose credential is based on either: * Religion, a la Gus Dur and Amien Rais * The barrel of the guns, ala Suharto, Wiranto, or other generals * Hereditary, ala Sri Sultan HB X * In the name of their father, ala Mega, Tutut * Some mythical prediction, ala Akbar Tandjung * By stealth, ala Habibie * Self delusion, ala AM Saefuddin * Opportunistic crawlers, ala Harmoko What Indonesia needs is a leader in the mold of Nelson Mandela who started off as a political activist, freedom fighter, has faced real struggled and in the end stared death eyeball to eyeball. Yet, came through all of these adversities with dignity, grace and generosity. In my opinion, Mandela is the most inspiring leader of the 20th century, surpassing other leaders like Gandhi, Mao, Ho, Chou, Roosevelt, Lenin, Churchill, Sukarno (flawed, but inspiring). Wouldn't Indonesia love a leader like Mandela? Well, from what I have seen of Mr. Xanana, his presence, his style, the way he conducted himself before and after his release from Cibinong jail. I AM IMPRESSED. Like Mandela, he has fought for the cause of freedom, struggled and faced death, yet came through all of these adversities with dignity, grace and generosity. Sound familiar? He reminded me of a young Mandela. Mandela fought with the knowing that the majority is on his side. Xanana fought as a minnow against the might of the Indonesian Giant, yet they could not crush him physically and mentally. May be Mega is right, TimTim should remain a part of Indonesia, because the quality of leadership coming off TimTim (Xanana, Belo, Horta) is much more impressive than the lot that I mentioned above. They could be the saviour of Indonesia. Indonesia probably needs them more than they need Indonesia. Regards - Chai Finnegan ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 1 Mar 1999 jam 04:54:33 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
