By Andi Abdussalam
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
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