Tsunami-devastated Indonesia welcomes Colin Powell
Residents of Indonesia’s quake-and-tsunami-devastated Aceh province welcomed US Secretary of State Colin Powell’s visit to the region today, expressing gratitude for American aid.
Powell jetted into Banda Aceh airport on a US Air Force plane just before 1pm (6am Irish time) and was due to take a helicopter flight over shattered Aceh to see for himself the extent of the damage ahead of a donor’s conference in Jakarta tomorrow.
In the main marketplace of provincial capital Banda Aceh – now a deserted wasteland of rubble – 34-year-old Sabirin, who uses only one name, said Powell was as welcome here as anyone who wanted to help.
“The United States is a superpower, a rich country that can help people who suffer,” said Sabirin, a tailor who lost his shop and nine family members in the devastating December 26 quake and tsunami.
Speaking in the Indonesian capital Jakarta last night, Powell said the huge US relief operation may lessen anti-American sentiment in the Muslim world and help in the fight against terrorism.
“I hope that as a result of our efforts, as a result of our helicopter pilots being seen by the citizens of Indonesia helping them, that value system of ours will be reinforced,” he said.
Ahead of Powell’s visit to their shattered region, citizens in Aceh said they were grateful for the American efforts.
“I think they are looking at our situation and really care. They see us suffering. We have suffered so much,” said army Cpl Andri. “I’m grateful he’s coming - we need all the help we can get.”
Just weeks ago, the thought of US soldiers on Indonesian soil would have drawn anger in a country where nationalism and suspicion of foreigners run deep.
Indonesia has rejected offers of foreign troops to help it battle terrorism and opposed an American plan to tighten security in the vital Malacca Straits shipping lanes, which might have involved elite US troops being stationed nearby.
But 32-year-old Sri Wahunyi said there was no reason to be suspicious of American aid.
“I’m happy the American government cares about Aceh. There is nothing to be suspicious about,” she said ahead of Powell’s visit. “Thanks be to God if Powell wants to come. He can see what the Acehnese people need and then help them out.”
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