Rational basis of RI's international diplomacy<\/p>\n
Bantarto Bandoro, Editor, 'The Indonesian Quarterly' Centre
\nfor Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta,
\nbandoro@csis.or.id<\/p>\n
The year 2003 has seen many diplomatic initiatives from the
\ngovernment, that clearly reflect the continued importance of
\nimproving Indonesia's image and its international position, as
\nwell as widening the country's spectrum of diplomacy.<\/p>\n
For those inside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in
\nparticular, these initiatives were the practical consequence of
\nrestructuring, that stressed the balance between the regional and
\nglobal approach to Indonesia's international problems. The
\ncountry's international diplomacy is therefore executed within
\nthe framework of such an approach.<\/p>\n
Others tend to see such initiatives from a wider but specific
\nperspective. These initiatives are aimed not only at garnering
\ninternational support for Indonesia's territorial integration,
\nbut also aimed at restoring our economic stability. More foreign
\ninvestors and alternative external sources are sought for our
\nlong-term development, particularly when we are no longer part of
\nthe IMF program.<\/p>\n
We saw that for the most part of 2003, we were the host of
\nmajor international meetings (bilateral and multilateral). Our
\nPresident and other high-ranking political leaders were also
\npresent, so many times, at important international conferences
\nabroad. It is through such means that we aired the need to solve
\nproblems collectively and peacefully, based on respect for each
\nnation's sovereignty.<\/p>\n
All this manifests in a national and international
\nresponsibility, that we, as member of an international society,
\nmust carry out. The establishment of a secure and peaceful world
\nmust always be the core concern of our policies.<\/p>\n
Though President Megawati Soekarnoputri's policies were often
\ncriticized by the public, her international contacts and policies
\nto some extent reflected that, for the good of the country, she
\nput national interests first.<\/p>\n
According to this concept, the fundamental standard of conduct
\nthat the President and her chief diplomats adhered to in their
\nforeign policies last year, were again in the interests of the
\nnation, and specifically, national integrity.<\/p>\n
In spite of this, many still believe that Megawati lacks
\npolitical instinct. For example, she showed great interest in
\ncommemorating Sukarno's Afro-Asian Conference of 1955 by
\npreparing for a major 50th anniversary celebration in 2005 --
\nsuggesting that she intends to remain in office even after 2004.<\/p>\n
She also thought that good-will diplomacy would solve the
\nKorean peninsula problem, sending her special envoy, Nana
\nSutresna, to both North and South Korea, forgetting the fact that
\neven the US had so far been unable to solve the problem. Her
\nspecial envoy, Ali Alatas, was also dispatched to Myanmar, hoping
\nfor a change in Myanmar policy, regarding the detained pro-
\ndemocracy leader at the time, when ASEAN as an institution had
\nfailed to do the same thing.<\/p>\n
Though Megawati's initiatives in these two matters appeared
\ndiplomatically insignificant, she should be given credit at least
\nfor appearing to possess the idea, that it is better to hold
\ntalks rather than to engage in confrontation, in solving
\ninternational problems.<\/p>\n
If the substance, the objectives and the execution of the
\nforeign policy of the current government are thoroughly observed,
\ngenerally one will notice that rationalism seems to have been the
\nbasis of our conduct of international diplomacy. This reflects a
\nvery intense diplomatic and commercial intercourse, between us
\nand other independent states, based on mutual respect and
\nconcord.<\/p>\n
However, in several cases, some observed the reality that
\nMegawati rarely initiates, and does not seek advice from other
\nsources. Therefore the foreign ministry under Hassan Wirajuda is
\nprobably as strong as it has ever been. A career diplomat,
\nWirajuda concentrates full-time on foreign policy.<\/p>\n
The year 2003 may have been the busiest year yet for the
\nforeign ministry, as it attempted to revitalize the performance
\nof the country's foreign policy and adjust itself to the changed
\ndomestic and international millieu. The resurgence of a more
\nactive foreign policy, thanks to the efforts of the minister and
\nhis colleagues at the foreign ministry, has signaled Indonesia's
\nfull readiness and willingness to reassert herself, both
\nregionally and internationally.<\/p>\n
We, however, should not feel too overly complacent with our
\ncurrent achievements, if any, given that we continue to be
\nvulnerable to any turbulence coming from inside the country,
\nparticularly during the elections this year. This means that the
\nexecution of a more proactive foreign policy is unlikely to
\nproduce positive outcomes and gear the country toward a more
\ncredible international standing, unless our political and
\nsecurity situation, as well as our economic performance, improve.
\nAn inward-looking Indonesia, when confronted by profound domestic
\nproblems, must be avoided.<\/p>\n
This would mean that an active, visionary, foreign policy, and
\nthe continuity and coherence of diplomatic efforts, would be a
\nmajor contributing factor in enabling the country to enhance its
\nindependence, sovereignty and international bargaining position.
\nAs a result Indonesia could enter the next phase of the century
\nwith restored national pride, and a firmly ensured place in the
\nstill-turbulent world politics.<\/p>\n
A major challenge for the next government is to make the best
\nuse of such favorable conditions. It is therefore important for
\nthe new leaders of Indonesia to be highly alert to the country's
\nexternal environment. Under these circumstances, an active,
\ninnovative and rational foreign policy are imperative, if
\nIndonesia is to safeguard what it has already achieved in its
\ninternational diplomacy.<\/p>",
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