RI needs foreign policy formulation board: Analyst<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia should establish a special board to
\nformulate foreign policy, former ambassador to the United States
\nHasnan Habib said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Policy-making mechanisms were currently unclear, Hasnan, a
\nretired Army lieutenant-general, told a seminar reviewing
\nIndonesia's foreign policy.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's foreign policy is made by several government
\nagencies besides the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.<\/p>\n
Some policies were made at the Coordinating Minister for
\nPolitical Affairs and Security level, but the time allotted to
\ndiscussing them was often limited, Hasnan said.<\/p>\n
A formulation board which could respond immediately to foreign
\npolicy crisis was also necessary, the former ambassador told the
\nseminar organized by the Centre for Strategic and International
\nStudies (CSIS).<\/p>\n
This, he added, was necessary to clarify the decision-making
\nmechanism on new problems.<\/p>\n
Even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had admitted its
\nworkshops on policy issues needed streamlining, Hasnan said.<\/p>\n
The seminar also featured Nugroho Wisnumurti, the director
\ngeneral of politics affairs of the Foreign Ministry, former
\nambassador to Australia Sabam Siagian, Rizal Sukma of CSIS and
\nAnak Agung Banyu Perwita of Parahyangan University.<\/p>\n
Hasnan said Indonesia should also strive to strengthen the
\nprofessionalism of its diplomats.<\/p>\n
"The ministry has started the efforts, but they are
\ninadequate," he said.<\/p>\n
He noted that many bright and talented university graduates
\nwere not interested in joining the foreign service because of
\nuncertainties about the diplomatic career path.<\/p>\n
Rizal shared Hasnan's view about the need for a standard
\nmechanism for foreign policy formulation.<\/p>\n
"Due to globalization, foreign policy should be less personal
\nand involve as many public aspirations as possible," he said,
\nmeaning consultations with non-governmental organizations and the
\nHouse of Representatives.<\/p>\n
However, Rizal said, the required mechanism did not
\nnecessarily mean the establishment of an institution to oversee
\nthe formulation of policy.<\/p>\n
"We already have, for example, the National Council of
\nSecurity and Defense which gives input to foreign policy-making.
\nBesides, coordination among cabinet ministers to decide foreign
\npolicy has become common practice," he said.<\/p>\n
Golkar legislator Krissantono joined the call for the
\ngovernment to listen to the people's representatives when making
\nforeign policies.<\/p>\n
He criticized the government for seemingly neglecting the
\nHouse during the drawing up of many bilateral treaties.<\/p>\n
"The government has never asked for House ratification of the
\nagreements, although it knows its decisions affect the public,"
\nKrissantono complained.<\/p>\n
"We need a law which requires the government to ask for House
\nratification for any international agreements," he said.<\/p>\n
He admitted however that the House lacked foreign affairs
\nexperts.<\/p>\n
"Therefore the next House should place the right people in the
\ncommission in charge of foreign affairs and drop the traditional
\nquota of staff," he said. (amd\/10)<\/p>",
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