Legislators back RI's proposal for peace in Bosnia<\/p>\n
By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Legislators and experts here are backing
\nIndonesia's recent move to facilitate a peaceful end to the
\nconflict in the former Yugoslavia, despite an undertone of
\npessimism and doubts about the likelihood of success.<\/p>\n
Overall, news of the initiative has been welcomed warmly as a
\nvalid and legitimate proposal which should be taken seriously.<\/p>\n
\"This is a proposal for a new mechanism,\" legislator Theo
\nSambuaga told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Over the past four years, he pointed out, various United
\nNations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization peace efforts
\nhave born little fruit.<\/p>\n
According to Theo, Indonesia's proposal adds a fresh new
\ndimension and thus warrants an international response.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto expressed Indonesia's readiness to
\nfacilitate peace negotiations in the war-torn country. He
\nproposed a two-stage approach to have the ex-Yugoslavian
\nrepublics sit down together and seek a common solution. An
\ninternational conference would then follow.<\/p>\n
Soeharto argued that this approach contained the ingredients
\nfor success, based on the premise that it seeks a comprehensive
\nrather than a partial solution to the problem.<\/p>\n
\"We have the experience from helping in Cambodia,\" Theo said,
\nwhile pointing out similarities between the Bosnian proposal and
\nformer peace negotiations in Cambodia.<\/p>\n
Jakarta facilitated the Cambodia peace negotiations by
\nconvening the Jakarta Informal Meeting in 1988, which brought the
\nwarring factions together. The meeting was later followed up with
\nan international conference.<\/p>\n
Before breaking into six separate republics in the early
\n1990s, the former Yugoslavia was a founding member and leader of
\nNAM.<\/p>\n
Abu Hasan Sazili, a fellow legislator and member of the House
\nof Representative's Commission I on foreign affairs, noted that
\nas chair of the 111-nation Non-Aligned Movement (NAM),
\nIndonesia's proposal could hasten the peace process.<\/p>\n
Soeharto revealed his plan while flying back to Indonesia,
\nproposing a peaceful solution through the creation of a
\nconfederation.<\/p>\n
Despite the positive responses, doubts remain as to whether
\nthe initiative will result in a concrete solution.<\/p>\n
\"I'm pessimistic,\" said a researcher from the Center for
\nStrategic and International Studies who has been studying the
\nconflict.<\/p>\n
Kustanto Anggoro recognized that Indonesia was following the
\nsame pattern as it did with Cambodia, but noted that in this case
\nit was difficult to bring the warring factions together under a
\nsingle umbrella.<\/p>\n
He was skeptical given the opposing factions and their lack of
\npolitical will to be unified. \"I doubt they have any intention of
\nbeing united again,\" he said.<\/p>\n
At present, Soeharto's proposal remains vague on the final
\nform it will take, be it a federation, confederation or even a
\ncommon regional organization.<\/p>\n
A return to the old Yugoslavia is impossible, Kustanto
\nremarked.<\/p>\n
Because numerous peace proposals have been devised and because
\nthey all have failed, he asked why Indonesia should be more
\nsuccessful.<\/p>\n
Apart from the underlying questions regarding the shape of
\nex-Yugoslavia, there are questions as to why Indonesia is only
\nasserting its role as a facilitator and not as a mediator.<\/p>\n
Minister Alatas said that as a facilitator Indonesia would
\nprovide the facilities and, if asked, host the negotiations.<\/p>\n
\"Personally I would support us being mediators,\" Kustanto
\nsaid, though he admitted that he did not really understand
\nJakarta's reason for taking such a position.<\/p>\n
Theo said Indonesia realizes that other countries or
\norganizations could play a more suitable and involved role as a
\nmediator. \"We are not part of that region and there is the UN to
\nact as a mediator.\"<\/p>\n
Because of this, he stressed that Indonesia's efforts needed
\nthe support and participation of the major countries in the area
\nsuch as Germany, France and Russia.<\/p>\n
Kustanto said NATO and the UN are better equipped to resolve
\nthe conflict. But because Indonesia has stated its intent to
\nhelp, he said he would rather see Jakarta take a more pronounced
\nrole than just being a mere facilitator.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/legislators-back-ris-proposal-for-peace-in-bosnia-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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