Alatas puzzled over exclusion from ocean forum<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said
\nyesterday that he was puzzled by Indonesia's exclusion from a
\nrecent meeting in Mauritius to form an Indian Ocean economic
\ngrouping.<\/p>\n
\"We have been given several explanations, but to be honest
\nnone of them makes sense,\" Alatas said during a hearing with
\nCommission I of the House of Representatives which deals with
\nforeign affairs and national security.<\/p>\n
The governmental meeting, which involved India, South Africa,
\nOman, Singapore, Australia, India, Kenya, was a follow-up to a
\nproposal highlighted earlier this year by South African Vice
\nPresident F.W. de Klerk.<\/p>\n
According to Alatas, one reason Indonesia was excluded was to
\nsmooth initial discussions by starting with a small group. Thus
\ncertain countries were selected to represent their sub-regions.<\/p>\n
Alatas questioned the way the countries were selected.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia has one of the biggest coastlines with the Indian
\nOcean, Singapore doesn't even have one. And what about Oman and
\nthe others?\" he remarked.<\/p>\n
The minister explained that another Indian Ocean grouping
\ninitiative had also been launched in Australia.<\/p>\n
A three-day meeting of the International Forum on the Indian
\nOcean Region (IFIOR) was held in Perth, Australia, earlier this
\nmonth involving more than 120 delegates from 23 Indian Ocean
\ncountries including Indonesia.<\/p>\n
IFIOR meeting was a non-governmental initiative involving
\ngovernment officials in a private capacity function, experts and
\nmembers of the business community.<\/p>\n
Alatas said that neither of the meetings had produced many
\n\"far-reaching results.\"<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Alatas underlined Indonesia's commitment to the
\nIndian Ocean area citing Jakarta's participation and contribution
\nto the United Nation's Indian Ocean Marine Affairs Cooperation.<\/p>\n
China<\/p>\n
With regard to reports over Beijing's claim to the Natuna
\nIslands in the South China Sea, Alatas said that officially,
\nBeijing had never made such a claim.<\/p>\n
He did confirm, however, that Jakarta sent a diplomatic note
\nconcerning the extension of a dotted Chinese border line over the
\nNatuna area.<\/p>\n
Beijing has yet to officially respond.<\/p>\n
\"One of the Chinese officials has expressed the complexity of
\nthe matter and that the Chinese government needs time to study
\nthe matter,\" he said in response to questions from the
\nlegislature.<\/p>\n
\"The illustrative map does not clearly indicate China's claim,
\nit just portrays some lines which are grouped into nine lines,\"
\nhe said. (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/alatas-puzzled-over-exclusion-from-ocean-forum-1447893297",
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