JP\/15\/HASSAN<\/p>\n
HASSAN WIRAYUDA<\/p>\n
What do you expect from the preparatory committee Meeting in
\nBali?<\/p>\n
The coming preparatory meeting will produce three main
\nagreements. They are, a plan of action, a political declaration
\nand initiatives for partnership.<\/p>\n
The plan of action is scheduled to be finished in Bali, while
\nthe political declaration will be further finalized in the
\nupcoming summit in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n
We also expect to finalize 73 initiatives for partnership that
\nwill be the concrete measures of the meeting's results.<\/p>\n
As the host, we will lead discussions and definitely influence
\nthe three products.<\/p>\n
The political declaration will be an important issue as
\nlearning from the past experience of the Rio Summit, we need
\npolitical commitment to ensure the implementation of the plan of
\naction.<\/p>\n
However, we fully understand that even in the sustainable
\ndevelopment conference many political agendas of third world
\ncountries, such as foreign occupation, will enter the discussion
\nand it will be discussed.<\/p>\n
The process to decide the four pages of political declarations
\nwill be much more difficult than the other agreements.<\/p>\n
Could you explain more on the political declaration<\/p>\n
This will not be a discussion on real politics, but to garner
\npolitical commitments from all heads of state and heads of
\ngovernment to implement the plan of action.<\/p>\n
Although we are talking about sustainable development there
\nare always reasons to bring political issues like the Palestinian
\ncause, India and Kashmir, etc.<\/p>\n
Those countries will say that it will be impossible for us to
\nachieve sustainable development because of war or foreign
\noccupation.<\/p>\n
They will ask, 'how can we avoid poverty when we are still
\nunder those pressures?'<\/p>\n
How can you ensure the implementation of the plan of action<\/p>\n
The plan of action should be a balanced approach that will not
\nmake some countries allergic to sustainable development. It
\nshould be both idealistic and realistic, unlike the one we
\nachieved in Rio.<\/p>\n
It should also appear in the initiatives for partnerships as
\nwe will go directly to each project that can be achieved through
\nbilateral and multilateral approaches.<\/p>\n
The commitment will not just include traditional players like
\nthe foreign ministry or foreign economic relations, but include
\nall major stake holders like local government, business community
\nand civil society.<\/p>\n
It is easy for each signatory to cheat on the agreement and it
\nhas happened for the past ten years. There is discrepancy between
\nthe awareness and commitment and in the coming meeting we have to
\ndeal with it.<\/p>\n
It will be a very difficult process because we are up against
\nthe strong countries that control 85 percent of economic power.
\nThat is why we have to empower ourselves and be committed to the
\nrules.<\/p>\n
What will are some of the benefits that Indonesia can expect from
\nthis meeting<\/p>\n
We serve as a good example of a country that has implemented
\nunsustainable development. After enjoying an average of 7 to 8
\npercent growth per year in more then 30 years, our economy
\nsuddenly fell by 21 percent, and we suffered greatly.<\/p>\n
The sudden drop in economic growth is not just because of our
\nown failure to have good governance and democracy, but also
\nbecause of inadequate infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Debt is a very important issue and it concerns us most. In the
\nmeeting we will discuss better ways of financing sustainable
\ndevelopment. How to get the commitment from developed countries
\nto increase financial aid.<\/p>\n
In many poor and indebted countries, there are reversed
\ncapital flows and mounting debts, just like what happens in our
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
There are a lot of creative proposals to handle such matters,
\nnot just by debt cuts or eradication, but also debt swaps, like
\ndebt for nature, debt for forest, debt for poor.<\/p>\n
As a concept, we are still studying the possibility because
\nthere is an inability of many countries to deal with their debts
\nand a swap could be one of the ways to deal with it.<\/p>\n
The Foreign Ministry will have to ensure that our colleagues
\nin the government understand the importance of this meeting.<\/p>\n
Despite our internal weaknesses, we could point out that there
\nare an inadequate number of international financial architects.<\/p>\n
Many developed countries would say that they are tired of
\ngiving money as it's being taken by corrupt countries, but we can
\nalso say that what we need is direct foreign investment and not a
\nhuge flow of money that could further destabilize our country.<\/p>\n
While at the same time we should conduct domestic reform and
\nensure good governance.<\/p>",
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