ASEAN still cornerstone of foreign policy: Alwi

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab reaffirmed on Friday Indonesia's commitment to the Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) as one of the "cornerstones" of the country's foreign policy.

In a policy briefing to review foreign affairs in 2000 and chart the coming year, Alwi asserted that as one of the founders of ASEAN, Indonesia would never abandon or negate the importance of ASEAN to the country.

"ASEAN is the cornerstone of our foreign policy and as a founding father it is impossible for us to leave ASEAN," Alwi said in the briefing on Friday.

His remarks came amidst growing concern amongst many observers that Indonesia seemed to be veering away from the 33-year-old regional group.

These concerns were reinforced when President Abdurrahman Wahid, immediately after the ASEAN informal summit in late November, said that Indonesia intends to establish a West Pacific Forum.

Alwi maintained that even if the government is looking into such proposal, it should not be perceived as abandoning ASEAN.

He said the move was motivated in many respects by Indonesia's need to seek greater assurances from other countries outside of southeast Asia to support the territorial integrity of the country.

ASEAN members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Alwi further argued that it would be premature to judge that Abdurrahman's proposal to establish a West Pacific Forum, consisting of Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea and East Timor, would jeopardize ASEAN.

"But this (the Forum) is still an initial idea and needs further thinking," Alwi said.

He argued that many other countries in ASEAN also belonged to other groupings, so Indonesia should also be allowed to create a separate forum which could help retain recognition of its territorial integrity.

"However, as I said, this is still very early and we will hold meetings to count the advantages and disadvantages in having such a Forum," Alwi said.

Commenting on relations with Singapore, Alwi said Jakarta would always consider Singapore as an important neighbor and would restore rattled ties quietly out of the public spotlight.

"In our 30-year relationship with Singapore there are a lot of things that we can tidy up, but we will do it quietly. We fully realize that neighbors are very important for us," the minister said.

Separately, former foreign minister Ali Alatas said there are only differences of nuances in the foreign policy of the new government, but, basically, the principle of the foreign policy had not changed.

"I think there are difference of nuances, emphasis and priority because of current needs. But the principles are still the same. I think there will be no further alliances as Pak Alwi has explained," he said.(dja)