ASEAN still cornerstone of foreign policy: Alwi

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)