Article

2005-12-26 Southeast Asia

Chicoms seek strategic, oil ties with Indonesia

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Posted by Alaska Paul 2005-12-26 16:40|| || Front Page|| [4 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Not really going to fly, I'm afraid. Indonesia thinks of itself as "the man" in Southeast Asia. China wants Indonesia to resume its ancient role as a Chinese vassal state. I don't think the Indos will go for that. Too much historical baggage.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2005-12-26 19:56|| http://timurileng.blogspot.com]">[http://timurileng.blogspot.com] 2005-12-26 19:56|| Front Page Top

#2 Indonesia will try to milk this for more American aid. But we'd be nuts to hand free stuff over to them just because of their posturing. Fact is that China is no threat to us, but a genuine threat to Indonesia's territorial integrity. And the Indos will do what they have to, in order to avoid getting swamped.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2005-12-26 19:57|| http://timurileng.blogspot.com]">[http://timurileng.blogspot.com] 2005-12-26 19:57|| Front Page Top

#3 Father-in-law (rest his soul) built a monomer plant in Indonesia in the 60s. Mitsibushi Heavy Ind. was suppose to have a special "in" with the Veep. Turned out the VP was nobody so they couldn't get Indonesian Oil. Had to build a port and city to import the stupid oil.
Had to figure out Indonesian bribe rules.
His chart went "last name", vs "pos in gov" giving a minimum positive bribe ammount.

In addition it was harder then hell to get Indonesians to work. The more he raised their wages the less they showed up. So.. he hired PIs. Turned out with their stratified society the guys couldn't do bs with the extra money... so he found out what they would like to do. That was rec stuff... pinball, billards, exercise, pools, gyms... stuff no amt of money would get them access to due to their class...

So... he built a huge rec facility...
cut wages by a factor of 10x
give tokens with every 15 mins worked redeemable in the rec facility.
People started working their asses off 60 hrs/week and doing great work.

Finished up six months after rec center was done.

I don't think the PRC has that sort of flexible finesse.

Posted by 3dc 2005-12-26 22:05|| 2005-12-26 22:05|| Front Page Top

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