'Every domestic issue has a foreign policy aspect'<\/p>\n
Indonesia looks set to reassert itself in international fora with
\nPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono bringing a new dimension to
\nforeign policy. The Jakarta Post's Endy M. Bayuni and Meidyatama
\nSuryodiningrat talked to Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda about
\nthe foreign policy outlook, including the commitment to regional
\ncooperation and the propagation of democracy. Excerpts of the
\ninterview:<\/p>\n
Question: How were you recruited by the president? Where you
\nsummoned to Cikeas (Susilo's private residence) and interviewed
\nlike several other ministers?<\/p>\n
Answer: I was summoned to Cikeas. As we began our discussion,
\nthe then president-elect said \"Pak Hassan we know each other
\nquite well. So our discussion here is not a 'fit and proper
\ntest'\".<\/p>\n
And what he said was true. We do know each other well from
\nworking in the Cabinet. That's why, during the meeting, he
\nelaborated more on his foreign policy vision. I explain what had
\nbeen accomplished and the ministry's general plans for the
\nfuture, and there was a meeting point (between us). So, in his
\nown words, it really was not a \"fit and proper test\".<\/p>\n
Will there be significant changes in foreign policy under
\nPresident Susilo's administration?<\/p>\n
The keyword is \"continuity\". There will be differences in
\ncertain accentuated areas in line with the targets of the
\nCabinet, which stress peace, stability, democracy and prosperity.<\/p>\n
These targets seem domestic in nature, but carry with them
\nforeign policy dimensions. Every domestic issue has a foreign
\npolicy aspect, which diplomacy could contribute to.<\/p>\n
In terms of the (traditional) aspects of diplomacy, the
\nCabinet reaffirmed that ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian
\nNations) is the cornerstone of our foreign policy. Our commitment
\nto regional integration remains. During the first Cabinet meeting
\nthe President remarked that international cooperation is an
\nimportant inevitability.<\/p>\n
The President will attend the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic
\nCooperation) and ASEAN Summits later this month. That's a sign of
\nhis commitment to regional initiatives.<\/p>\n
Those summit meetings are an opportunity to hold bilateral
\ntalks. I believe these events will be a very important indicator
\nof the president's foreign policy direction in the coming five
\nyears. Summit diplomacy has become a very important component of
\ninternational diplomacy. These summits are not merely ceremonial
\ngatherings, they are working summits.<\/p>\n
We shall continue to engage closely with our cooperation
\npartners, such as the European Union, the United States, and
\nother developing countries and related organizations -- the OIC
\n(Organization of the Islamic Conference), Non-Aligned Movement,
\netc. The president is committed to the preceding government's
\ninitiative of an Asia-Africa Summit in April of next year.<\/p>\n
I must also mention that the President has placed great
\nattention to development in the Middle East, especially toward
\nthe formation of a Palestinian state.<\/p>\n
The presence of a new president brings a different style. How
\nwill this influence the nuance of Indonesian diplomacy?<\/p>\n
Personal idiosyncrasies have an important affect. But Pak
\nSusilo is no stranger (to international relations). He has
\nengaged with foreign counterparts as a coordinating minister in
\nhandling various issues including East Timor, terrorism. As
\nMinister of Energy he also engaged in economic diplomacy.<\/p>\n
These are assets that will help in summit diplomacy. I am
\nconfident he will bring a positive color and contribute to
\nIndonesian diplomacy. I saw in recent weeks how hands-on he is
\nwhen it comes to foreign policy issues ... Which is good!<\/p>\n
After a period of political stability, macroeconomic progress
\nand an election lauded around the world, are we about to see the
\nascendance of Indonesian foreign policy?<\/p>\n
I would say so. With the economic crisis behind us, we can now
\nfocus more on foreign policy. Our achievements bring a new role,
\na new perspective for Indonesian foreign policy.<\/p>\n
Democracy is a national asset that has a high \"selling value\"
\nin the international sphere. In the context of terrorism, the
\ndebate over a clash of civilizations, we see moderate Islam
\nprevailing in our country as another asset. The challenge now is
\nhow to externally project these positive assets.<\/p>\n
Next year we shall host and co-sponsor with Australia an
\ninterfaith dialog to be attended by the ASEAN members, Australia,
\nNew Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste. It's in our
\ninterest to promote the kind of moderate Islam practiced here to
\nthe rest of the world, so we can counter the misperceptions about
\nIslam. We shall also organize, together with Britain -- as part
\nof the ASEM process -- another interfaith dialog involving 38
\nAsian and European countries.<\/p>\n
In terms of democracy we are also in a rather advantageous
\nposition. Just look at ASEAN. We have a gathering of countries
\nthat, on the one hand, is democratic but on the other hand is a
\nmilitary junta. That is not healthy. I don't think we can
\nmaintain ASEAN cohesion under these conditions. That is why one
\nof the six elements in the ASEAN Security Community is \"political
\ndevelopment\" where the development of democracy is one of the
\nactivities.<\/p>\n
This is where the paradox comes in. Indonesia has a moral
\nobligation to \"promote\" democracy, but at the same time it is one
\nof the primary exponents of political sovereignty.<\/p>\n
When we promote democracy we do not claim that it is an
\nexclusively Indonesian value. It is part of global trends and
\nvalues. But what's interesting is that we engaged in the process
\nof democratization on our own initiative. It was not imposed.
\nThis is what differentiates us from other parts of the world
\n(that are adopting democracy).<\/p>\n
I recall what the Emir of Qatar said -- as head of the Group
\nof 77 -- during the General Assembly of the United Nations in
\nSeptember. He said \"democracy, dialog is no longer an option. It
\nis a necessity\".<\/p>\n
So there is a strong recognition of reform, and the
\ndevelopment of democracy (around the world), even from countries
\nthat in the past were known to be rather conservative.<\/p>\n
The magnitude of reform from a nation of 220 million people
\nembarking on a path of democracy by its own conviction is
\nimmense! We can share this experience (by) sharing the \"best
\npractices\" of our process.<\/p>\n
If you ask whether this contradicts the principle of
\nsovereignty, then my answer is \"no\". In sharing these best
\npractices, we do not intend to impose values on others because
\ndemocracy cannot be imposed. Our democracy was a local process,
\nwhich matched with the global trend.<\/p>",
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