Part 2 of 2: Revisiting our foreign policy<\/p>\n
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Remember: What makes Indonesia great and relevant is that, we
\nhave a brand of nationalism that is open, confident, moderate,
\ntolerant and outward looking. And as our nation grows, we must
\nmake sure that we strengthen this brand of nationalism.<\/p>\n
So this brand of nationalism -- the open, moderate, tolerant
\nand outward-looking nationalism -- must be at the root of our
\ninternationalism.<\/p>\n
Let me now move on to the challenges we are facing, in
\nimplementing our independent and active principle.
\nOf these challenges, the challenge of security is often the first
\nthat comes to mind. In this enlightened age, weapons of mass
\ndestruction, including nuclear, biological and chemical weapons,
\ncontinue to proliferate.<\/p>\n
As if these were not enough, we have to confront threats of
\nterrorism and other transnational crimes, massive illegal
\nmigration, epidemics and degradation of the environment.
\nThen there is the challenge of development, which is basically
\nthe problem of poverty.<\/p>\n
Poverty is so widespread in the developing world, because of
\nthe crushing impact of the debt burden, the inability of poor
\ncountries to access export markets, the steady spread of
\nepidemics, the implosion of cities, and the degradation of the
\nenvironment. These are threats spawned by the imbalances and
\ninequities of international economic relations.<\/p>\n
Not all the challenges of the world situation today are
\ntotally unwelcome. There is the challenge of democracy.<\/p>\n
All over the world, people are seized with a desire to take
\ntheir destiny in their own hands, to personally choose who will
\ngovern them, and to take part in the decision-making processes
\nthat affect their lives.<\/p>\n
If a government can accommodate the desire of its people to
\nclaim their basic rights, the results can be exceedingly positive
\nfor the country itself, for its region and for the world at
\nlarge.<\/p>\n
This is precisely what happened in Indonesia and several other
\nAsian countries in recent times. Earlier, it happened in South
\nAfrica. It is now beginning to happen in the Middle East and
\nelsewhere. These challenges clamor for an effective response for
\naction. Indonesia is addressing these challenges in all the
\nappropriate multilateral forums, through bilateral arrangements,
\nand through individual national initiatives.<\/p>\n
The foremost multilateral forum through which we address these
\nchallenges is, of course, the United Nations. We are aware that
\nthe UN Secretary-General in his report has presented a carefully
\nformulated package of proposals in the interrelated fields of
\ndevelopment, security and human rights, as well as for UN reform.<\/p>\n
We agree with the basic thrust of the report -- that we cannot
\nhave security without development, nor can we have development
\nwithout security, nor can we have both of them without respect
\nfor human rights. We share the Secretary-General's view that, at
\nthe global level we can effectively tackle these basic challenges
\nonly through a reformed and revitalized United Nations.<\/p>\n
In this context, we have always urged that the composition and
\nprocedures of the Security Council be reformed -- to make the
\nCouncil more democratic and representative of the present world
\nconstellation. We have always stood for the immediate
\nimplementation of the Monterey consensus, and for the completion
\nof the Doha round of trade negotiations in a way that will favor
\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n
In the same context, we appeal to our developed partners to
\nrelieve the developing world of the debt burden and to allocate
\n0.7 percent of their gross domestic product for official
\ndevelopment aid.<\/p>\n
We look forward to the reform of the UN Human Rights
\nCommission. In the meantime, as Chairman of that Commission, we
\nare striving as much as we can during our tenure to advance all
\nhuman rights all over the world. We will continue to wage an
\nadvocacy for non-proliferation of all weapons of mass destruction
\nand for disarmament. We keenly anticipate the conclusion of a
\nconvention on terrorism.<\/p>\n
We are carefully studying the package of proposals presented
\nby the Secretary-General and in September, we will seek and work
\nfor collective action in response to these proposals. At the
\ninter-regional level, we are actively involved in the development
\nof the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership.<\/p>\n
At the regional and sub-regional level, the mainstay of our
\nforeign relations is, our involvement with ASEAN. With the rest
\nof the ASEAN family, we are now building an ASEAN Community that
\nrests on the pillars of a Security Community, an Economic
\nCommunity, and a Socio-cultural Community.<\/p>\n
In building this Community, we in ASEAN are taking full
\nresponsibility for our own security. We will also complete our
\nintegration into a single free trade and investment area.<\/p>\n
It is Indonesia's hope that in the process, ASEAN will develop
\nand nurture common values, particularly those that promote human
\ndignity and freedom. The cause of democracy and human rights will
\nthereby be advanced in this part of the world.<\/p>\n
Apart from that, a larger integration process will be launched
\nat the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur later this year. This
\nSummit will gain significance by virtue of the expected
\nparticipation not only of ASEAN and its Northeast Asian neighbors
\n-- China, Japan and South Korea -- but also of India, Australia
\nand New Zealand.<\/p>\n
ASEAN, however, should remain in the driver's seat, and should
\ncontinue to be the center of gravity of the integration process.<\/p>\n
There is as yet no clear-cut architecture of the East Asia
\ngrouping that will result from this Summit. But it is possible to
\nanticipate the development of an East Asia community by 2012.<\/p>\n
ASEAN-China, ASEAN-Japan and ASEAN-India free trade areas will
\nbe in place by 2010, and today Australia and New Zealand are
\nseeking intensified economic engagement with ASEAN. It is just a
\nmatter of time, before the separate arrangements are welded
\ntogether, to form one immense and powerful economic unit.<\/p>\n
When that community comes into existence, it will comprise
\nabout half of the world's population and include the second
\nlargest economy, and the two most dynamic of the great economies
\nin the world today.<\/p>\n
Let me conclude by saying this: Those of you who have been in
\nthis country would feel that there is a new energy in Indonesia
\nsince the end of last year. I hope you would also notice the
\nsame energy in our foreign policy. Foreign policy has a critical
\nrole in my administration.<\/p>\n
After all, we have today an Indonesia that is capable and
\neager to actively engage the international community, in the
\ncommon task of building a better world.<\/p>\n
This article is based on President Susilo's written speech for
\nthe Indonesian Council on World Affairs (ICWA) in Jakarta on May
\n19.<\/p>",
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