Alatas puzzled over exclusion from ocean forum

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said yesterday that he was puzzled by Indonesia's exclusion from a recent meeting in Mauritius to form an Indian Ocean economic grouping.

"We have been given several explanations, but to be honest none of them makes sense," Alatas said during a hearing with Commission I of the House of Representatives which deals with foreign affairs and national security.

The governmental meeting, which involved India, South Africa, Oman, Singapore, Australia, India, Kenya, was a follow-up to a proposal highlighted earlier this year by South African Vice President F.W. de Klerk.

According to Alatas, one reason Indonesia was excluded was to smooth initial discussions by starting with a small group. Thus certain countries were selected to represent their sub-regions.

Alatas questioned the way the countries were selected.

"Indonesia has one of the biggest coastlines with the Indian Ocean, Singapore doesn't even have one. And what about Oman and the others?" he remarked.

The minister explained that another Indian Ocean grouping initiative had also been launched in Australia.

A three-day meeting of the International Forum on the Indian Ocean Region (IFIOR) was held in Perth, Australia, earlier this month involving more than 120 delegates from 23 Indian Ocean countries including Indonesia.

IFIOR meeting was a non-governmental initiative involving government officials in a private capacity function, experts and members of the business community.

Alatas said that neither of the meetings had produced many "far-reaching results."

Nevertheless, Alatas underlined Indonesia's commitment to the Indian Ocean area citing Jakarta's participation and contribution to the United Nation's Indian Ocean Marine Affairs Cooperation.

China

With regard to reports over Beijing's claim to the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea, Alatas said that officially, Beijing had never made such a claim.

He did confirm, however, that Jakarta sent a diplomatic note concerning the extension of a dotted Chinese border line over the Natuna area.

Beijing has yet to officially respond.

"One of the Chinese officials has expressed the complexity of the matter and that the Chinese government needs time to study the matter," he said in response to questions from the legislature.

"The illustrative map does not clearly indicate China's claim, it just portrays some lines which are grouped into nine lines," he said. (mds)