Workshop on South China Sea<\/p>\n
The workshop on Managing Conflicts in the South China Sea has
\nbeen held six times in Indonesia. The workshop -- initially
\nintended to set aside any territorial disputes into peaceful and
\nbeneficial cooperation among the claimant countries: Brunei,
\nChina, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam toward the
\npotential rich reserves of oil and natural gas -- is very
\nmeaningful for the Confidence Building Measures (CBM) among
\nclaimant countries.<\/p>\n
Moreover, the Indonesian government's efforts in attracting
\nthe claimant countries to talk and discuss potential cooperations
\nthrough peace in a cooperative manner is admitted as a positive
\nand productive contribution toward maintaining peace and security
\nin the region.<\/p>\n
Although the results of these workshops have no chance of
\nimmediate implementation by the respective claimant countries,
\nthey will be submitted by the participants -- most of them are
\nsenior government officials taking part in private rather than
\nofficial capacity -- to their respective governments and the
\nrecommendations will be adopted as a policy pertinent to the
\nideals of the workshop.<\/p>\n
Personally, I see that these workshops have a number of good
\npoints:<\/p>\n
1. In the post cold war period where balancing power is
\nconsidered relevant, Indonesia's initiation of the meeting, by
\nfacilitating the claimant countries to set aside the seed of
\nconfrontation, will certainly contribute toward more balanced
\npower in the region. In particular by reducing and avoiding
\nhostilities that could be more harmful to the region if force was
\nused.<\/p>\n
2. The substance of the ongoing workshop is seen as
\nproductive, such as marine cooperation leading to the development
\nof marine technology with its economic benefits.<\/p>\n
3. The holding of the workshop is in accordance with
\nestablishing international law, in particular the internationally
\nrecognized UNCLOS 1982, which is close to the objective of
\narticle 301, part XVI, in the way of promoting international
\ncooperation. It will contribute to implementation of the UNCLOS
\n1982 and will indirectly make the provisions on the UNCLOS
\nfamiliar among the international participants.<\/p>\n
For these positive points the workshops should be considered
\nas an important step and deserve to be followed by the political
\nwill of the claimant countries in their respect for the noble
\nobjectives of peace and security in the region.<\/p>\n
AMAR MAKRUF<\/p>\n
Depok, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/workshop-on-south-china-sea-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }