80 years and still fighting

Indonesia is celebrating 80 years of independence from the Dutch.

“Sukarno, my late father, was its founding father,” says Kartika Soekarno, my godchild whose son is now studying in an American university.

The name Gandhi includes monumental honors in London, yet Sukarno’s name stays largely unknown to Dutch youth.

Kartika: “The Dutch accused him of being a collaborator and Communist. The word collaborator has sordid resonance. When Japan invaded our country, the Dutch left us without means to defend ourselves.

“Eisenhower led an anti-Communist campaign. Neutrality was considered immoral. Colonialism, challenged by American imperialism, meant independent nations trying to protect national interests — not serve the US.

“Indonesia was made to compensate Holl

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