Mega calls for pause in assault on Afghanistan<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday called for a
\nhumanitarian pause in Afghanistan, warning that prolonged
\nmilitary strikes against the Muslim country could weaken global
\nbacking for a war on terrorism.<\/p>\n
Addressing lawmakers on the first day of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly's Annual Session, Megawati urged an end to
\nthe U.S.-led strikes against Afghanistan during the coming
\nfasting month of Ramadhan as well as Christmas.<\/p>\n
She did not specifically mention the United States or strikes
\nagainst Afghanistan in her 25-page speech, but she appeared to
\nmake it clear that in the context of the coming religious
\nholidays, \"we call for the ongoing military attacks -- to find
\nterrorist suspects -- and which have caused many innocent people
\nto become victims, not be continued during the holy month of
\nRamadhan and Christmas holiday.\"<\/p>\n
The Islamic fasting month of Ramadhan begins in mid November.
\nMuslims all over the world will celebrate the Idul Fitri holiday
\nas a conclusion of the fasting month in mid December. Less than
\ntwo weeks afterward, Christians will celebrate Christmas.<\/p>\n
\"...prolonged military strikes are not only counterproductive,
\nbut also can weaken the global coalition's joint efforts to fight
\nterrorism.\"<\/p>\n
\"For this reason, we call for a humanitarian pause to provide
\nmore room for the handling of the humanitarian aspects while
\ntrying to find a solution through political and diplomatic
\nmeans.\"<\/p>\n
The government, she said, would continue to push the United
\nNations to play its role in maintaining peace and security in the
\nworld.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, despite its stance in condemning and joining global
\nefforts to fight terrorism, continues to express disagreement
\nwith the U.S.-led strikes against Afghanistan, which many here
\nbelieve has caused a new humanitarian crisis in the world.<\/p>\n
Initially, the government merely stated its deep concern over
\nthe Afghan attack, but later shifted the stance saying that an
\nattack against another country for whatever reasons, was
\nunacceptable.<\/p>\n
The shift was considered to be the government's attempt to
\nappease Muslim groups here and to clarify the stance against the
\nstrike, although, economically the country depends much on the
\nU.S.<\/p>\n
The President also said that \"it is not easy to implement a
\nfree and active foreign policy at this time of tumult. The global
\neconomic interest needs a peaceful and secure world with a strong
\nspirit of cooperation among nations.\"<\/p>\n
The President further said that Indonesia also urged the
\nAssociation of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) to work hand in
\nhand in dealing with the issue of terrorism, along with other
\ntransnational crimes.<\/p>\n
\"I am calling for better cooperation among intelligence
\nagencies and security forces of member countries to deal with
\nthose problems,\" she remarked.<\/p>\n
After the session, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said that
\nthe continuing strikes against Afghanistan would destabilize
\npolitical conditions in many countries, \"so the UN should take a
\nmore active role to end the crisis.\"<\/p>\n
He also said that the terrorism issue will be discussed in the
\ncoming ASEAN summit in Brunei Darussalam on Sunday to once again
\nunderscore the intention of the ASEAN countries in fighting
\nterrorism.<\/p>",
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