George Bush’s Visit
Help Recover the Tourism of Bali

he arrival of the USA president to Indonesia triggered pros and cons. Nevertheless, his visit implied significance to Indonesia and Bali in particular. The bilateral meeting of George W. Bush and the president of the Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, at Bogor Presidential Palace (20/11) at least was capable of putting up confidence to the Americans and other foreign tourists to come back to Indonesia.
"Bush’s visit is favourable to Indonesia, notably Bali in its tourism sector," reveals Bagus Sudibya as Consortium Coordinator of the Bali Tourism Board (BTB).

Observed, the current visit of Bush can become an instance for other countries that Indonesia is worth visiting. "Proven, from America that is the world super power country, its president paid a visit to Indonesia. Whereas if we observe further that the population of Indonesia is Moslem in majority remarkably understood about the purpose of his visit. This establishes evidence that he intends to effect soft diplomacy to Indonesia and the people ought to have a capability of grasping this positive signal," he discloses.
Though some demonstrations colour the Bush’s visit to Indonesia, according to Bagus Sudibya, is a natural response. "Demonstration is one of means to express the people’s aspiration and it’s supremely fair within a country practising a democratic system as Indonesia," he explains.
However, the overriding subject is how people can create a peaceful condition so the tourists would no longer be scared to come to Indonesia and Bali in particular. The quality of tat tvam asi (Thou art That) philosophy within the community of Indonesia needs putting forwards considering that Indonesia is a multicultural and multi-ethnic country. On touching the travel warning, Bagus Sudibya says, it comes in our expectation altogether and hopefully can be countermanded.
In the meantime, the ambassador of the United States to Indonesia, B. Lynn Pascoe utters, a travel warning is not an issue in the implementation of his foreign politics. "By our (the US) legislation, it becomes an obligation to inform the condition of particular country to its citizen," says Pascoe while adding, to make the visit of Bush not to be suspected. "I hardly could understand why there is one raising question who really wishes for such a meeting? Both (Bush and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) need to clarify this matter."
Similar opinion is also proposed by a restaurateur, Ni Ketut Sukiasih. "No matter whom he is, if he comes to Indonesia as a guest, he should be respected. Moreover, such a guest is the President of the United States George W. Bush having significance to the life of tourism. Bush just dare come to Indonesia as he considers the situation has been secured. This secured condition in Indonesia must be informed to his people."
Also added, the visit of Bush to Indonesia is supremely appropriate." It would be more relevant if he drops in Bali pondering that the life of Balinese community is highly supported by tourism." It’s extremely consequential because the Balinese in fact depend very much on tourism, so the conducive condition should be given priority to create the security and convenience. (BTN/rai/*)