By Andi Abdussalam Jakarta, July 15 (ANTARA) - The governments of Indonesia and Timor Leste in Bali on Tuesday expressed deep regret over the gross human rights violations committed during and after the referendum that led to the secession of East Timor from Indonesia in September in 1999. The two governments expressed their regret in a joint statement signed by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, his Timor Leste counterpart Ramos Horta, and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao in Bali on Tuesday. Both governments signed the 14-point joint statement after earlier on the day receiving a final report of the Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF) set up by both governments to collect facts on alleged human rights violations in East Timor and to help restore the relations between the two countries. "We would like to express our deepest regret over the past violence that has claimed so many lives and material loss," President Yudhoyono said after receiving the final report from the CTF at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Tuesday. The Indonesian government will study and take follow-up steps with regard to the CTF recommendations and take initiatives to improve the friendship between the peoples of Indonesia and Timor Leste. Meanwhile, Timor Leste President Ramos Horta said his government would study and discuss the report, and carry out the CTF recommendations. "We agree to carry out the recommendations as far as possible," Horta said. In response to the recommendations and other initiatives suggested by the commission, a joint ministerial commission will formulate an action plan. The report, leaked to several media organisations including AAP in Australia last week, said that Indonesia bore responsibility for the violations, which included mass murder, rape and torture. It also said that the pro-Indonesia militia groups, the Indonesian government, military and police "must all bear an institutional responsibility for the gross human rights violations against civilians". But the report said pro-independence groups in East Timor also committed gross human rights violations, including illegal detentions, for which that country also owed Indonesia an apology. The Commission was opposed to a controversial option of granting an amnesty to the perpetrators, saying it would not be in keeping with "its goals of restoring human dignity, creating the foundation for reconciliation ... and ensuring that violence would not recure". In response to the report, National Defense Forces (TNI) Chief Gen Djoko Santoso said he was ready to face the possible consequences, if it was true that the Indonesia-Timor Leste Commission of Truth and Friendship had declared the TNI institutionally responsible for the human rights violations in East Timor. "I still don't know (about CTF's statement) but if the TNI as an institution is held responsible, I will be accountable. I have just returned from Lebanon, so I have not yet seen the (CTF)'s formulation," he said at the Merdeka Palace last week. But Santoso did not explain in what way he would live up to his responsibility. "I still don't know what the (CTF's) has actually said. When I have received it, we will consider in what way we will show our responsibility," he said. In the meantime, retired General Wiranto, who was the TNI chief during the 1999 East Timor polls, said the East Timor case was already settled and closed. "All army generals who were suspected of involvement in the East Timor riots had been tried by an extra-ordinary military tribunal and all of them were found not guilty," he said on Tuesday. He said that should the case be taken to an international tribunal, he should first wait for the decisions of both governments. "We leave it to the governments of both nations and we are of the opinion that there were no mistakes at that time and all were done by the book," Wiranto said. According to the CTF report, the Indonesian military, police and East Timor government officials were at the time involved in every stage of activities that led to gross human rights violations, including murder, rape, torture, extra-judicial arrests, and forced deportation of East Timorese. The pro-independence militia committed acts of violence during the referendum in 1999. But the report said that pro-independence groups in East Timor also committed gross human rights violations - namely illegal detentions - and that state must also it is sorry. Indonesian Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said human rights violations in East Timor were the responsibility of the governments of Indonesia and Timor Leste. "Joint responsibility is one of the principles that should be put forward or be taken as basis for responding to the report of the CTF," the defense minister said in a working meeting with TNI commander Gen. Djoko Santoso on Monday. In this case, both sides would not look into the past too long in their attempt to find the truth and justice. "So, there should be no words of apology but an expression of deep regret which is to be conveyed by both presidents to their respective peoples," he said. He said that what was found by the CTF was a matter of restorative justice whose nature was to restore both nations' relations and peoples, so that both sides should not go too far to question matters done by both countries in September 1999. The CTF report referred to the principle that both sides had committed gross human rights violations in East Timor. "This must be underlined because media reports in Australia mentioned as if it was only Indonesia which had committed human rights violations in East Timor," he said. (T.A014/A/HNG/A/E002) 15-07-2008 22:38:42 |
Selasa, 15 Juli 2008
RI, TIMOR LESTE EXPRESS REMORSE OVER DILI ATROCITIES
Jumat, 13 Juni 2008
RUDD'S VISIT REINFORCES JAKARTA-CANBERRA COOPERATION
By Andi Abdussalam
"Rudd's visit to
According to Wirajuda, the partnership cooperation between
During his two-day first state visit to Indonesia, Rudd discussed with his Indonesian counterpart President Yudhoyono a wide range of issues such as trade, climate change, tourism and other matters of mutual concern.
On Friday, Yudhoyono and Rudd, who arrived in Jakarta on Thursday for his first state visit since taking power in November last year, discussed various issues and witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement on forest management and carbon trading between the two countries.
"We discussed cooperation to cope with climate change in concrete ways. We have signed an Australia-Indonesia Forest Carbon Partnership agreement as a model of bilateral cooperation to anticipate climate change in the forestry field," Yudhoyono said.
In the tourism sector,
"In terms of cooperation in the tourism sector, the number of Australian tourists coming to Indonesia increased by 35 percent in 2007 compared to the previous year. I hope this can be maintained," President Yudhoyono told a press conference after his meeting with Kevin Rudd.
Since then, the governments of
"I am saying that conditions in
In the trade field,
According to Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu,
"We will wait for the completion of talks on ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand (AANZ) free trade this year. After the AANZ negotiations are finalized,
Negotiations on FTA AANZ began in
So far, various FTA negotiations have been discussing only 90 percent of the tariff posts. The remaining were lists of sensitive products whose markets were not open.
Indonesian, in the meantime, asked
According to Rudd, bilateral cooperation in the economic field should be intensified and negotiations on regional trade among
On the occasion, the Indonesian president supported
"We also agreed to continue regional and bilateral cooperation to overcome current global problems such as the food and energy crises, how to reduce the burden especially for developing countries," Yudhoyono said.
(T.A014/A/HAJM/20:20/a014)(T.A014/A/A014/A/A014)
Jumat, 02 Mei 2008
RI, S AFRICA FOSTERING FURTHER COOPERATION
Jakarta, March 20 (ANTARA) - Indonesia and South Africa, two countries with vast potentials to share with each other, have renewed their commitment to increasing their bilateral cooperation in the economic and political fields.
The two countries renewed their commitment when President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono toured South Africa this week to reciprocate the visit of his South African counterpart Thabo Mbeki who visited Indonesia in 2005.
"I am optimistic that cooperation between the two countries could be enhanced further, particularly after the signing of a joint strategic partnership cooperation," Yudhoyono, who was on a visit to South Africa from March 14 to 18, told a joint press conference with Mbeki.
The optimism of the Indonesian president was in line with expectations of investors of both nations to establish business cooperation.
According to South African President Thabo Mbeki, South African investors have expressed interest in doing business in Indonesia. Therefore, the South African and Indonesian governments need to promote their economy to their respective businesspeople.
There are three steps which need to be taken in boosting cooperation between the two countries. Firstly, both governments need to issue effective business policies, regulations and mechanisms on expanding economic cooperation.
Secondly, the private sector needs to be more active in making approaches in seeking business opportunities which might be undertaken and developed.
And thirdly, both governments needed to provide a support system like banks and transportation facilities such as air and land transportation means.
Indonesian business community can benefit from South Africa's strategic position as regional economic powerhouse and its strategic location as a hub for travel to other countries within the African region.
Likewise, with a population of more than 220 million, Indonesia is a potential market for South African products. Indonesia can also function as a catalyst for South Africa to penetrate the Southeast Asian market.
According to President Yudhoyono, South Africa is a country with a growing economy while Indonesia is the largest economy in South East Asia. If the potentials of the two countries were combined under a joint cooperation it would bring a real benefit to the people of the two countries.
Yudhoyono said the two-way trade increased by 28 percent in 2007 if compared with the previous year. "The increase will be bigger if new opportunities are jointly explored," the president said.
Trade between South Africa and Indonesia, which established ties in 1994, has been expanding rapidly. There aret numerous opportunities for South African companies in the fast-expanding mining, infrastructure and energy sectors (oil and gas).
There are also excellent opportunities for cooperation in the forestry sector, as Indonesia is a major producer of hard-wood products and pulp, while South Africa is a world player in soft-wood production and the supply of pulp
Indonesia is a prominent "South" country, and combined with its strong interest in the Indian Ocean Rim (IOR- ARC) and the plight of the developing countries is a strong ally in promoting the needs and aspirations of the developing world.
South Africa's main exports to Indonesia include prepared foods (i.e. dried fruits, cereals, fruit juices etc.), pulp & paper, while its imports from Indonesia include vegetable products, fats & oils, plastics & rubber, timber, pulp & paper, footwear, stone & plaster.
Both heads of state also dwelled on matters relating to the energy crisis facing both countries, and how to overcome it in boosting their economic growth.
Therefore the two countries reached an agreement to increase the use of clean energy, energy diversification and technology transfer with a view to bringing about a better environment especially in view of the fact that energy is currently dominated by natural oil, which is not friendly to the environment.
Both heads of state pointed out that energy is an important issue whose problems need to be solved.
Palestine
Besides fostering economic cooperation, Indonesia and South Africa also agreed to increase cooperation in solving international issues.
Indonesia and South Africa, which co-chaired the Asian-African Summit in Indonesia in 2005, are currently formulating the correct form of capacity building assistance for Palestine ahead of the Asian-African Conference on Palestine to be held in Indonesia in May 2008.
"Indonesia, South Africa , Palestine and a few other parties are formulating the right format of capacity building assistance for Palestine," the Indonesian leader said.
The capacity building assistance to Palestine should of course be tailored to Palestine's needs if it was to be effective.
"The biggest challenge being faced in preparing it is the fact that Palestine's unity and integrity had not yet crystallized," President Yudhoyono said. (T.A014/A/HNG/A/E002) (T.A014/A/A014/A/E002) 20-03-2008 22:15:38
INDONESIA, FINLAND FOSTERING CLOSER ECONOMIC TIES
Jakarta, Feb 18 (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Finland are moving closer to fostering economic cooperation with pledges to intensify bilateral trade and investment between the two nations.
The pledges were made by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his visiting Finnish counterpart Tarja Halonen during their meeting here on Monday.
Unlike other Asian nations, Indonesia which is rich in natural resources opens various kinds of economic sectors to investors from any country, including Finland.
"Indonesia is an open country. Not all countries are open like Indonesia. Therefore, we are open to all kinds of investment from Finland," Vice President Jusuf Kalla said in a seminar on Indonesia-Finland Business Relations.
Both nations have the potentials to increase their cooperation as their two-way trade is still low.
"We have agreed to intensify trade and investment cooperation. The value of our two-way trade last year was still low, namely only US$550 million, while Finnish investment in Indonesia amounts to only US$2 million," President Yudhoyono said at a joint press conference with Halonen at the Merdeka Palace.
Besides the agreement to intensify trade and investment, the two countries also established cooperation in the environmental field.
They have signed an agreement to cooperate in the environmental field and in anticipation of climate change as a follow-up to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Bali last year.
The agreement was signed by Indonesian Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar and his Finnish counterpart, Paavo Vayrynen, in the presence of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at Merdeka Palace.
"Cooperation in environmental issues between Indonesia and Finland is a follow-up to the Bali conference on climate change last year," President Yudhoyono said.
Yudhoyono said Indonesia and Finland had so far been cooperating in the forestry and environment fields but with the signing of the agreement on Monday, the two countries were expected to collaborate even more closely.
Meanwhile, the Finnish president who is on a state visit to Indonesia from Saturday until Tuesday, said the two countries would continue to step up their cooperative relations.
"The Bali conference on climate change was a good momentum for us to forge further cooperation in sustainable development programs," Holonen said. She said under the newly-signed agreement the two countries would make joint efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.
On efforts to boost exports, Yudhoyono said Finland was a potential market for Indonesian exports which had mostly gone to the United States, China and Europe.
"I have asked our trade minister and the chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to identify or find ways in which trade with Finland can be stepped up," he added.
President Halonen, meanwhile, noted Indonesia had huge natural resources that could be developed for the benefit of its people.
She said Finland had wide international experience in the management (of natural resources) and would look into the possibility of sharing this experience with Indonesia.
She added Finland also wanted to intensify cooperation in many other sectors with Indonesia.
Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, meanwhile, said opening trade relations with Finland would also mean opening opportunities to step up trade with the European region, Scandinavian nations and Russia.
The trade balance between Indonesia and Finland was now still in the latter's favor as Indonesia's imports from Finland totaled US$373 million and its exports to Finland US$177 million in 2007.
Pangestu said the Indonesian government was actually hoping that some big companies in Finland, including Nokia, would invest in Indonesia.
According to Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Finland is well-known to Indonesians for two things: Nokia cell phones and Helsinki. "Most Indonesians are using Nokia cell phones and Helsinki becomes popular since the conclusion of a peace accord between Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) there," he said.
But Finland has not only Nokia, but also many other large companies there.
"Therefore, cooperation between the two states, particularly in the economic and trade fields will complement each other," the vice president said. (T.A014/B/HNG/B003). (T.A014/A/A014/B003) 18-02-2008 23:54:24
RI, CHINA FOSTERING CLOSER ECONOMIC TIES
Jakarta, June 8 (ANTARA) - Indonesia and economic giant China are forging closer economic ties with Beijing moving to realize various investment projects worth a total of US$800 million in Indonesia.
The realization of the economic cooperation between the two countries which has been running well got an impetus when Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla made a six-day visit to China from June 6 to 11.
"The vice president's visit to China is expected to increase the two countries' economic cooperation," chief of the Indonesian embassy's economic section in Beijing Andriana Supandy said.
Kalla's agenda included talks with executives of Chinese state-owned companies which had investment project schemes in Indonesia such as Sino-Hydro and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).
"China has a lot of opportunities to increase its investment in Indonesia as both nations' economic relations are now increasing," the vice president said at a meeting with Chinese Communist Party Secretary General for Unnan province, Bai Enpei.
Indonesian Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto who accompanied the vice president during his tour of China hoped that the meeting between Kalla and Chinese business officials would expedite the implementation of various Chinese-funded projects in Indonesia.
Indonesia and Sino-Hydro, for example, signed a work contract on April 30, 2007, for the construction of the Jatigede dam project in West Java. Work on the dam is expected to be begin on June 30, 2007.
China has made a loan commitment worth US$800 million for different projects in Indonesia, of which US$250 million are designed for construction of the Jatigede dam in Cirebon, West Java.
The rest of the loan would be used for double-track railway projects, thermal power plants and road construction.
Minister Djoko Kirmanto hoped that the meeting between the vice president and Sino-Hydro executives would expedite the realization of the Jatigede dam project.
With the Chinese financial assistance, construction of the Jatigede dam was expected to proceed smoothly in order to contain rain water for irrigation or for generating electricity.
He said Cirebon district and its surrounding areas were often hit by floods during the rainy season and scarcity of water during the dry spells. That's why, he added, it needed a dam to contain water when rain falls.
The minister said the design and blueprint of the dam had been made while construction which be started after the Chinese funs had been isursed.
The other sector of cooperation included investment in railway projects.
The vice president held a meeting with China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) to discuss the company's plan to build a 517-kilometer-long railway track in Central Kalimantan province, she said.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the project was signed recently by Central Kalimantan Governor Teras Narang and CREC's management while Vice President Jusuf Kalla was slated to talk about the financial scheme for the purpose.
In the energy sector, the vice president had a meeting with China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) to discuss a plan to ship LNG (liquefied natural gas) amounting to 2.6 million metric tons from Papua Province (Indonesia) to Fujian Province (China).
The LNG supply cooperation would last for 25 years starting in 2009 as demand for LNG in Fujian kept on increasing.
During his visit, the vice president and Chinese officials also discussed the establishment of a 10,000-megawatt power plant as many Chinese companies had won tenders in the project.
In terms of investment, China is now the fifth biggest investor country in Indonesia with an investment worth US$7.4 billion.
Chinese investment in Indonesia, excluding those in the gas and oil sectors, reached US$170 million (38 projects) in 2003, and it rose to US$205 million (80 projects) in 2005.
Indonesia's investment in China was recorded at US$100.8 million with 115 projects in 2006.
The vice president also focused his attention on increasing trade between the two nations.
Kalla said the aim of his meeting with executives of Chinese companies was to increase the trade volume and investment of both countries.
According to the chairman of the Indonesian Commerce and Industry (Kadin), MS Hidayat, the vice president's visit was part of Indonesia's efforts to achieve the target of US$30 billion two-trade between Jakarta and Beijing launched by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jinato, in April 2005 in Jakarta.
The trade target was inseparable from the frame of strategic cooperation which basically calls for the two countries to expand cooperation in all fields, he said.
Two-way trade between Indonesia and China tripled to US$19.06 billion in 2006 from US$6.7 billion in 2001. (A014/A/HAJM/20:50)
(T.A014/A/A014/H-AJM) 08-06-2007 21:18:29
RI, NZ FOSTERING CLOSER TIES
Jakarta, May 8 (ANTARA) - Indonesia and New Zealand are moving closer to mending their ties one year after the latter resumed its military cooperation with Jakarta which Wellington had severed over alleged gross human rights violations before, during and after the referendum for independence in Timor Leste in 1999.
In order to increase their bilateral ties, Jakarta hosted an Indonesia-New Zealand Joint Ministerial Commission forum on Tuesday to discuss issues of mutual concern, among others in police work, immigration, education, counter-terrorism and interfaith dialogs.
Besides by senior officials of both nations, the joint commission forum was also attended by Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda and his New Zealand Counterpart Winston Raymond Peters.
"The joint ministerial forum was preceded by a senior officials' meeting which was held on Monday, May 7, 2007," Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said on Tuesday.
To enable broader perspective of discussion, the Joint Ministerial Commission forum included relevant agencies of both nations so that this time the forum was more solid in developing bilateral relations and cooperation between Indonesia and New Zealand, the minister said.
The Indonesia-Zealand Joint Ministerial Commission was set up as a follow up to the visit of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to New Zealand some time ago.
As democratic countries, Indonesia and New Zealand have strong basic relations to advance their bilateral ties and to strengthen peace, security and prosperity at regional and international levels, he said.
Besides as a result of President Yudhoyono's visit to New Zealand, strong foundations for cooperation between the two countries had also been laid thanks to the meetings between Yudhoyono and New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark in various forums such as the ASEAN Dialogue Partners' meeting, APEC forum and East Asia Summit, Wirajuda said.
He said that New Zealand was a dialogue partner of ASEAN and Indonesia was also a dialogue partner of the Pacific Island Forum where New Zealand was an important member.
"And the two countries were participants of the APEC and the East Asia summits which had been held two times, and this matter had further strengthened the bilateral relations," the foreign minister said.
In the meantime, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said his country was one of the countries which supported and kept abreast of reform developments in Indonesia.
Therefore, progress and prosperity in Indonesia and in New Zealand were important for regional stability, he said.
During the forum, Indonesia and New Zealand agreed to step up regional cooperation in various fields such as immigration, counter-terrorism and interfaith dialogues.
"The process of the interfaith dialogues which was initiated by Indonesia and was begun with the first regional meeting in Yogyakarta on December 7, 2004, has been going on well," Wirayuda said.
He said the interfaith forum was followed up with the second meeting in Cebu, the Philippines, on March 14-16, 2006 and the third meeting would be held in New Zealand on May 29 - 30, 2007.
"In my capacity as foreign minister, I will attend the meeting," wirajuda said.
He said the interfaith dialogues had also given birth to the Muslim Youth Leaders' Exchange Program and exchanges of academicians.
Indonesia also hailed New Zealand's initiative to hold an Allianze for Civilization forum which was an international cooperation in promoting mutual understanding among civilizations which would be hosted by New Zealand on May 25-27, 2007.
"Mr Ali Alatas (former Indonesian foreign minister) will attend the meeting," Wirajuda said.
Apart from the interfaith dialogue, Indonesia and New Zealand would also improve cooperation in the defense and police fields.
"The two nations also agreed to draft a memorandum of understanding (MoU) Concerning Cooperation on Migration and Border Control Management, which is expected to overcome illegal immigrant problems," the minister said.
Indonesia hoped that New Zealand would consider issuing seasonal work permits and working holiday schemes for Indonesians.
The joint commission also recommended the drafting of an MoU on anti-corruption and anti-money laundering efforts in the framework of enforcing the laws in the two countries.
The forum also discussed economic cooperation, particularly in the trade sector. The trade volume of the two nations which reached 1.3 billion New Zealand dollars continued to increase every year.
New Zealand also planned to increase its development assistance to Indonesia to 13 million New Zealand dollars in the 2007-2008 period.
Wellington restored military cooperation with Indonesia last year by inviting Indonesia to join a military training in the New Zealand Defense Force's Staff and Command Academy, a move welcomed by Jakarta. (A014/A/HAJM/b005) 2. 21:10/23:00 (T.A014/A/A014/B005) 08-05-2007 23:02:00
INDONESIA'S SUPPORT TO UN RESOLUTION ON IRAN NUKE PROGRAM
Jakarta, March 28, (ANTARA)- Indonesia's support to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution on tightening its sanction on Iran last week has sparked controversy, and surprised -- if not disappointed -- many people in the country.
The decision contradicted what people might have in mind so far, in which support from government officials, the House of Representatives as well as the general public to the Iranian nuclear program for peaceful purposes had often been heard.
"So far, the President, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the House of Representatives (DPR), the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) and the people in general had supported Iran's nuclear enrichment program," former president Abdurrahman Wahid alias Gus Dur said in responding to the government's decision to support the UNSC Resolution.
On Saturday last week (March 24), fifteen members of the UNSC, including Indonesia as non-permanent member, unanimously agreed to tighten its sanction on Iran after it refused to abandon its uranium enrichment program.
Before the UNSC adopted the resolution, many circles in Indonesia had expressed hope that Indonesia would not support the resolution and refrain from taking part in the voting.
"Indonesia should reject the UNSC plan and not support the Council in calling for a resolution to impose a sanction on Iran," Ikrar Nusa Bakti, a political scientist said recently.
There had been no evidence that Iran's nuclear program was intended to produce atomic bombs or beef up its military prowess, he said.
"Indonesia should not only refrain from taking part in the voting but voice its stance and actively lobby the other non-permanent members to reject the resolution," Rizal Dharma Putra, executive director of the Indonesian Strategic and Defense Studies Institute said.
But the Indonesian support to the UNSC resolution seemed to have disappointed many members of the House of Representatives (DPR). There has been a move of some House members to exercise their interpellation right toward the President.
Effendy Choirie, a DPR member of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction, said a written proposal for the exercise of the interpellation right toward the government's support to the UNSC resolution had already been distributed to the House members and already signed by 74 of them.
A report said on Wednesday 120 legislators had signed the proposal.
Former president Gus Dur said he supported the intention of the 120 DPR members to exercise their interpellation right. "I back their intention to exercise their interpellation right toward the President's stand in supporting the resolution because we have always been supporting Iran's peaceful nuclear program," Gus Dur told reporters on Tuesday.
He said the interpellation could be followed with an impeachment if the president was proven to have violated the law. After all, Indonesia adopted a free and active foreign policy.
While the lawmakers were gathering support for the interpellation move, others called on the government to explain the people the decision it had taken in supporting the resolution.
Executive Board Chairman of the Democrats Party Anas Urbaningrum said the foreign minister had to clarify to the people Indonesia's support to the UNSC resolution on the tightening of its sanction on Iran.
"The foreign minister needs to explain in detail to the people and political parties Indonesia's stance towards Iran's nuclear enrichment program," Anas said.
He said that any country in the world had the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes like Indonesia which was allowed to develop its nuclear energy program.
Therefore, Anas also said it was most important for the foreign minister to give a detailed clarification to the people on the background of Indonesia's support to the Iranian nuclear program, and its decision to support the UNSC resolution.
He said that whatever political decision Indonesia has taken, it would affect the country's international relations.
Deputy Chairman of Foreign Affairs Commission of the DPR, Yusron Ihza Mahendra of the Crescent and Star Party (PBB) faction said that Indonesia must have proper reasons behind its decision to support the resolution.
"Although Indonesia is a friend of Iran, it has to make adjustments to the international developments in carrying out its diplomacy," he said.
The same opinion was also expressed recently by Joko Susilo of the National Mandate Party faction. "It is very important for us to remain neutral with regard to the Iranian case. The problem is that Iran is still hiding a lot of information," he said.
"We have to keep a balanced stance over the Iranian issue. While Iran is still hiding much information, the United States is also quite arrogant," he added.
Previously, Foreign Affairs Minister Hassan Wirajuda said Indonesia had no pressure from the big countries, the West in particular, in supporting the resolution. Indonesia made the decision after many considerations, including the latest developments in the world.
Wirajuda said that if Iran really means that it is developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes only, it should have been more open and transparent, including toward the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Though Indonesia supported the UN resolution it should not hurt Iran as Tehran is still one of Jakarta's friends.
Indonesia's stance in supporting the resolution will not change existing economic relations between Jakarta and Tehran, Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia Behroz Kamalvandi said.
"The economic relations between Indonesia and Iran have created greater benefits, so that they should be maintained and even stepped up," he said.
About Iran's attitude towards the Indonesian permanent representative to the UN for supporting the UNSC resolution, the Iranian ambassador said that Iran had hoped that all the members of in the UNSC, would give their votes based on fairness and justice. (T.A014/A/HNG/B003). (T.A014/A/A014/B003) 28-03-2007 23:53:15
BUSH EXPECTED TO HELP RI'S BIO-FUEL ENERGY PROGRAM
| Jakarta, Nov 18 (ANTARA) - Indonesia's preparations to develop biofuel will seemingly get a further boost when President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and US President Geoerge W Bush meet in Bogor, West Java, on Monday. | |