RI regrets present situation in Iraq<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia expressed its regret yesterday over
\nthe deteriorating situation in Iraq and urged all parties to
\navoid escalating the crisis.<\/p>\n
\"We very much regret that the latest situation in Iraq has
\ndeteriorated to the extent we are witnessing now,\" Minister of
\nForeign Affairs Ali Alatas said.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday the United States attacked Iraq, launching 27
\ncruise missiles at various military installations south of
\nBaghdad. A second attack was launched yesterday morning.<\/p>\n
Washington has defended the strikes as a legitimate response
\nto continued Iraqi attacks on Kurds in the north of the country.
\nThe American attack marked the biggest offensive launched against
\nBaghdad since the 1991 Gulf War.<\/p>\n
\"We urge all parties concerned to exercise restraint and to
\nprevent further escalations of the situation,\" Alatas said of the
\nsituation there.<\/p>\n
In the past few years Indonesia has remained a strong
\nsupporter of alleviating the stern economic sanctions imposed on
\nIraq after it was defeated by a U.S.-led multinational force in
\n1991.<\/p>\n
Several Iraqi delegations in the last two years have been sent
\nhere to lobby for Indonesia's continued support.<\/p>\n
In June, an Iraqi delegation visited Indonesia to improve
\ntrade ties after the United Nations allowed limited sales of
\nIraqi oil to pay for badly needed food and medicines.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's support is expected to be eagerly sought again in
\nthe next few weeks since it currently has a seat on the United
\nNations Security Council, the main body responsible for imposing
\nsanctions.<\/p>\n
Alatas revealed that the latest situation was being discussed
\ninformally at the UN.<\/p>\n
He did not explicitly reveal what line Indonesia would take,
\nbut underscored that it would not support an intrusion into Iraqi
\nterritory.<\/p>\n
\"In this context Indonesia reiterates its basic stance that
\nthe sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq should be
\nrespected,\" he said. (mds)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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