RI backs grouping of Indian Ocean<\/p>\n
By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia supports the idea of an economic
\nregional grouping incorporating the many countries surrounding
\nthe Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas unhesitatingly
\nexpressed Jakarta's keenness when asked by The Jakarta Post about
\nthe possibility of Indonesia's participation in the group.<\/p>\n
"We see it as a positive development," Alatas said while
\npointing out the various activities Indonesia is already involved
\nin with Indian Ocean countries.<\/p>\n
The concept of the grouping gained momentum last month when
\nSouth African Deputy President F.W. de Klerk brought up the idea
\nwhile visiting Prime Minister Paul Keating in Australia.<\/p>\n
Canberra fully endorses the idea and is arranging a conference
\nin June to discuss the formation of an Indian Ocean trade and
\nsecurity grouping.<\/p>\n
A list of 37-nations are expected to receive invitations later
\nthis month.<\/p>\n
Alatas said the group would encompass "the African countries
\nfrom South Africa all the way to Tanzania in the west and the
\nASEAN countries all the way to Australia in the east."<\/p>\n
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a
\nregional socio-economic grouping which comprises Brunei,
\nIndonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.<\/p>\n
Just a few weeks ago, the Malaysian foreign ministry's deputy
\nsecretary general, Abdul Halim Ali, also expressed Kuala Lumpur's
\nempathy for the grouping.<\/p>\n
When confronted with the question of the necessity of
\nIndonesia to be involved in another regional group, Alatas argued
\nthat the Indian Ocean was a specter which had not been touched
\nupon before.<\/p>\n
"We definitely need it because this involves another region
\nand different issues," he said, adding that the activities in
\nthis particular region, especially economic ones, need to be
\nfurther stimulated.<\/p>\n
Apart from ASEAN, Indonesia has been a key player in the 18-
\nnation Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.<\/p>\n
Referring to Alatas' Monday statement on the sanctions imposed
\non Iraq, the director of information Irawan Abidin said yesterday
\nthat a Non-Aligned Movement Caucus in the United Nations Security
\nCouncil is endeavoring to ease the sanctions.<\/p>\n
Irawan stressed however that Alatas made no reference to
\nIndonesia's views as representing those shared by all 111 NAM
\nmembers.<\/p>\n
He said that such a common view "would require a survey that
\nis impossible to carry out at such short notice."<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, legislator Theo Sambuaga when asked about the idea
\nof an Indian Ocean grouping seemed less enthusiastic. He told the
\nPost that it would probably be more effective if the existing
\nregional organizations cooperated amongst themselves.<\/p>\n
"It is neither relevant nor urgent," said the member of the
\nASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization and former member of the
\nHouse of Representative's Commission I on foreign affairs.<\/p>\n
ASEAN has already institutionalized periodic talks with India
\nto improve economic ties. (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-backs-grouping-of-indian-ocean-1447893297",
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