RI missing out on ASEAN haze agreement: Activist<\/p>\n
Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesia will likely miss out on the benefits of the ASEAN
\nAgreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, and, more importantly,
\nlose the opportunity to show diplomatic goodwill, by delaying its
\nratification of the accord.<\/p>\n
"It is a pity that Indonesia cannot benefit from the
\nagreement, such as the ease in receiving help from other
\ncountries in combating future forest fires," said Sukanda Husein,
\na senior researcher at the Indonesian Center for Environmental
\nLaw (ICEL).<\/p>\n
The agreement contains provisions on monitoring, assessment
\nand prevention, technical cooperation and scientific research,
\nmechanisms for coordination, lines of communication, information
\nexchange, simplified customs and immigration procedures for
\nemergency response and disaster relief, and the establishment of
\nan ASEAN Coordinating Center for activities under the accord.<\/p>\n
The agreement came into effect on Nov. 25, 60 days after
\nThailand's ratification of the agreement.<\/p>\n
Brunei, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Vietnam had already
\nratified the accord, which required ratification by six countries
\nto come into force.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, where forest fires have become common, has not
\nratified the agreement.<\/p>\n
Sukanda said Indonesia's failure to sign the accord could be a
\nsource of disappointment for neighboring countries.<\/p>\n
"The agreement can be seen as a diplomatic courtesy from
\nIndonesia's neighboring countries, rather than suing Indonesia
\nfor haze pollution," said Sukanda.<\/p>\n
Similar sentiments were expressed by Trismardiyati, the head
\nof ratification of international agreements at the Office of the
\nState Minister for the Environment.<\/p>\n
"There is the possibility Indonesia will be brought to the
\ninternational court if haze originating from Indonesia happens
\nagain," said Trismardiyati, adding that Indonesia would
\ntechnically have no say in decisions made by signatories of the
\nagreement.<\/p>\n
Sukanda suspects vested interests in the forestry industry or
\na reluctance on the part of the government to compromise national
\nsovereignty were behind the government's failure to ratify the
\nhaze agreement.<\/p>\n
The deputy chief of the environmental subcommission at the
\nHouse of Representatives, K. Tunggul Sirait, said the government
\nwas probably not prepared to implement the agreement.<\/p>\n
Liana Bratasida, deputy for environmental conservation at the
\nOffice of the State Minister for the Environment, however, said
\nhis office had completed the preliminary procedures for
\nratification and had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of
\nForeign Affairs and the State Secretariat.<\/p>\n
"Unfortunately, the procedures are quite complex and it seems
\nthat the State Secretariat is still considering the matter," said
\nLiana, adding that Indonesia's neighbors were continuing to
\ncooperate with Indonesia in handling forest fires.<\/p>\n
Liana represented Indonesia in initialing the haze agreement
\non June 10, 2002, in Kuala Lumpur, during the World Conference
\nand Exhibition on Land and Forest Fire Hazards.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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