RI considers quitting 41 international organizations<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government was considering a withdrawal from its membership
\nin 41 various international organizations for financial reasons,
\nstating that the state budget was too financially strapped to
\nmaintain Indonesia's membership those organizations which are not
\nconsidered a high priority.<\/p>\n
Currently, Indonesia has membership in 185 international
\norganizations which requires at least US$17.38 million this year
\nto maintain.<\/p>\n
The protracted economic crisis, which has been beleaguering
\nthe country since 1997 without an end in sight, has severely
\nreduced the country's ability to pay membership fees in
\ninternational organizations.<\/p>\n
A document submitted on Monday by Foreign Minister Hassan
\nWirayuda to the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I
\nshowed that the recommendation to withdraw the country's
\nmemberships in those 41 organizations was offered by an inter-
\ndepartmental team involving officials from several ministries.<\/p>\n
Foreign Ministry spokesman Marty Nata Legawa confirmed the
\nreport, saying that the government had seriously examined each
\ncase before it decided to propose withdrawal.<\/p>\n
\"We have come to that conclusion after a series of reviews by
\nan inter-departmental team,\" Marty told the press on the
\nsidelines of a hearing between the House Commission I, which
\noversees foreign policy and security issues, and the ministry of
\nforeign affairs.<\/p>\n
International organizations that Indonesia may drop out of
\ninclude the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF),
\nthe Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the International
\nCongress and Convention Association (ICCA), the International
\nUnion of Local Authorities (IULA), the Albany Post District
\nCommission (APDC), the International Coffee Organization (ICO),
\nthe Bureau of International Education (BIE) and International
\nPepper Community (IPC).<\/p>\n
Marty did not reveal how much money Indonesia would save if it
\npushes through with its plan to withdraw membership in the 41
\norganizations.<\/p>\n
The government, however, plans to maintain its membership in
\nany organizations that support the global war against terrorism.<\/p>\n
The document also said that membership in the United Nations
\nwould be among the priorities that would be maintained.<\/p>\n
Marty added that the team seriously examined the advantages
\nand disadvantages of keeping the country's membership in each of
\nthe international organizations.<\/p>\n
He said such an evaluation was carried out regularly by an
\ninter-departmental team involving officials from several
\nministries.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-considers-quitting-41-international-organizations-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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