OIC not taking sides in Afghan conflict: Alatas<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas, as
\nchairman of the Ministerial Conference of the Organization of
\nIslamic Conference (OIC), said yesterday that the group was not
\ntaking sides in the conflict raging in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
\"The conference is not the taking side of anyone. This must be
\nunderstood, don't misinterpret it,\" Alatas told journalists
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
The 24th OIC foreign ministers' meeting, at the end of its
\nopening day Monday, agreed to leave Afghanistan's seat vacant.
\nThe meeting continues through Friday.<\/p>\n
Representatives from the Taliban and those loyal to ousted
\nPresident Burhanuddin Rabbani are both in Jakarta vying for the
\nseat.<\/p>\n
The Taliban seized Kabul in September and ousted the Rabbani
\ngovernment. However fighting continues as both sides battle to
\ngain control of the country.<\/p>\n
Rahim Gaffoorzai, a representative of Rabbani's faction,
\nexpressed disappointment at the decision, saying that it was like
\na stabbing victim who been attacked again.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless he said he could understand the OIC's position.<\/p>\n
Gaffoorzai also met with Alatas yesterday to discuss the
\nrecent developments in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
\"I emphasized the need for Indonesia to play a role to exert
\nevery effort and use their good offices to see that this conflict
\ncan be brought to an end,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Formed in 1971, the OIC currently comprises 54 member states.
\nSuriname became the newest member Monday.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile both the plenary and the four committees of the
\nconference continued yesterday with delegates deliberating on
\nvarious resolutions.<\/p>\n
The committee on economic and social affairs finished its
\ndebate on 35 resolutions -- 30 on economic cooperation between
\nmembers and five on science and technology, and have them ready
\nfor adoption at the end of the gathering.<\/p>\n
Agus Tarmizi who is Indonesia's permanent representative to
\nthe UN office in Geneva, said the committee agreed to issue a
\ncall that regional economic cooperation, including that among
\ndeveloped countries, should not be promoted in ways which harm
\nthe interests of OIC members.<\/p>\n
One of the committee's resolutions will be to call on the
\nWorld Trade Organization (WTO), currently holding its meeting in
\nSingapore, not to let political issues determine its decisions on
\nmembership applications.<\/p>\n
Agus then directly referred to the WTO's stance on China.<\/p>\n
Hadi Wayarabi, who represents Indonesia on the administrative
\nand financial affairs committee, said one of the subjects
\ndiscussed yesterday was some members' failure to pay their
\nmembership fees.<\/p>\n
Other draft resolutions being drawn up include the
\nestablishment of Islamic universities, the building of mosques in
\nBosnia and various expressions of concern toward the stalled
\nMiddle East process.<\/p>\n
Officials have also said that the issue of Afghanistan will be
\nincluded in the final communique however its substance has yet to
\nbe revealed.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile conference sources said Indonesia plans to nominate
\nIndonesian Hadi Wayarabi for the vacant post of assistant to the
\nOIC secretary-general in Asia. Three other countries -- Iran,
\nTurkey and Pakistan -- are also reportedly campaigning for their
\nown candidates.<\/p>\n
Wayarabi refused to comment yesterday when asked for
\nconfirmation. (swe\/mds)<\/p>",
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