Alatas puzzled over exclusion from ocean forum
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)