'Every domestic issue has a foreign policy aspect'

'Every domestic issue has a foreign policy aspect'

Indonesia looks set to reassert itself in international fora with
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono bringing a new dimension to
foreign policy. The Jakarta Post's Endy M. Bayuni and Meidyatama
Suryodiningrat talked to Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda about
the foreign policy outlook, including the commitment to regional
cooperation and the propagation of democracy. Excerpts of the
interview:

Question: How were you recruited by the president? Where you
summoned to Cikeas (Susilo's private residence) and interviewed
like several other ministers?

Answer: I was summoned to Cikeas. As we began our discussion,
the then president-elect said "Pak Hassan we know each other
quite well. So our discussion here is not a 'fit and proper
test'".

And what he said was true. We do know each other well from
working in the Cabinet. That's why, during the meeting, he
elaborated more on his foreign policy vision. I explain what had
been accomplished and the ministry's general plans for the
future, and there was a meeting point (between us). So, in his
own words, it really was not a "fit and proper test".

Will there be significant changes in foreign policy under
President Susilo's administration?

The keyword is "continuity". There will be differences in
certain accentuated areas in line with the targets of the
Cabinet, which stress peace, stability, democracy and prosperity.

These targets seem domestic in nature, but carry with them
foreign policy dimensions. Every domestic issue has a foreign
policy aspect, which diplomacy could contribute to.

In terms of the (traditional) aspects of diplomacy, the
Cabinet reaffirmed that ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations) is the cornerstone of our foreign policy. Our commitment
to regional integration remains. During the first Cabinet meeting
the President remarked that international cooperation is an
important inevitability.

The President will attend the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation) and ASEAN Summits later this month. That's a sign of
his commitment to regional initiatives.

Those summit meetings are an opportunity to hold bilateral
talks. I believe these events will be a very important indicator
of the president's foreign policy direction in the coming five
years. Summit diplomacy has become a very important component of
international diplomacy. These summits are not merely ceremonial
gatherings, they are working summits.

We shall continue to engage closely with our cooperation
partners, such as the European Union, the United States, and
other developing countries and related organizations -- the OIC
(Organization of the Islamic Conference), Non-Aligned Movement,
etc. The president is committed to the preceding government's
initiative of an Asia-Africa Summit in April of next year.

I must also mention that the President has placed great
attention to development in the Middle East, especially toward
the formation of a Palestinian state.

The presence of a new president brings a different style. How
will this influence the nuance of Indonesian diplomacy?

Personal idiosyncrasies have an important affect. But Pak
Susilo is no stranger (to international relations). He has
engaged with foreign counterparts as a coordinating minister in
handling various issues including East Timor, terrorism. As
Minister of Energy he also engaged in economic diplomacy.

These are assets that will help in summit diplomacy. I am
confident he will bring a positive color and contribute to
Indonesian diplomacy. I saw in recent weeks how hands-on he is
when it comes to foreign policy issues ... Which is good!

After a period of political stability, macroeconomic progress
and an election lauded around the world, are we about to see the
ascendance of Indonesian foreign policy?

I would say so. With the economic crisis behind us, we can now
focus more on foreign policy. Our achievements bring a new role,
a new perspective for Indonesian foreign policy.

Democracy is a national asset that has a high "selling value"
in the international sphere. In the context of terrorism, the
debate over a clash of civilizations, we see moderate Islam
prevailing in our country as another asset. The challenge now is
how to externally project these positive assets.

Next year we shall host and co-sponsor with Australia an
interfaith dialog to be attended by the ASEAN members, Australia,
New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste. It's in our
interest to promote the kind of moderate Islam practiced here to
the rest of the world, so we can counter the misperceptions about
Islam. We shall also organize, together with Britain -- as part
of the ASEM process -- another interfaith dialog involving 38
Asian and European countries.

In terms of democracy we are also in a rather advantageous
position. Just look at ASEAN. We have a gathering of countries
that, on the one hand, is democratic but on the other hand is a
military junta. That is not healthy. I don't think we can
maintain ASEAN cohesion under these conditions. That is why one
of the six elements in the ASEAN Security Community is "political
development" where the development of democracy is one of the
activities.

This is where the paradox comes in. Indonesia has a moral
obligation to "promote" democracy, but at the same time it is one
of the primary exponents of political sovereignty.

When we promote democracy we do not claim that it is an
exclusively Indonesian value. It is part of global trends and
values. But what's interesting is that we engaged in the process
of democratization on our own initiative. It was not imposed.
This is what differentiates us from other parts of the world
(that are adopting democracy).

I recall what the Emir of Qatar said -- as head of the Group
of 77 -- during the General Assembly of the United Nations in
September. He said "democracy, dialog is no longer an option. It
is a necessity".

So there is a strong recognition of reform, and the
development of democracy (around the world), even from countries
that in the past were known to be rather conservative.

The magnitude of reform from a nation of 220 million people
embarking on a path of democracy by its own conviction is
immense! We can share this experience (by) sharing the "best
practices" of our process.

If you ask whether this contradicts the principle of
sovereignty, then my answer is "no". In sharing these best
practices, we do not intend to impose values on others because
democracy cannot be imposed. Our democracy was a local process,
which matched with the global trend.