Foreign affairs council launched
Foreign affairs council launched
JAKARTA (JP): With the aim of reaching a more balanced view in
the formulation of foreign policy and providing a forum for
public exchange, Indonesia's top foreign affairs practitioners
and experts have formed the Indonesian Council on World Affairs
(ICWA).
The council was formally launched at a reception here Tuesday
night attended by top foreign policy figures along with foreign
ambassadors. Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and Minister
of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave also attended
the ceremony.
The chairman of the council's advisory board, Abdul Irsan,
said the interchange of ideas would enhance foreign policy.
He said that almost every modern state has an organization
which deals with the intricate aspects of international
relations.
"The provision of a venue where the public can enter into
dialog with the relevant state machinery is therefore essential,"
he said.
He added the Foreign Ministry has always felt "the need to
take into account the trends in international relations to reach
a more rounded view of the world state of affairs for the
formulation of the country's foreign policy strategy".
The council is comprised of several former ambassadors along
with respected military and foreign policy experts.
The idea to create an arena for the public to share thoughts
on world affairs with the government stemmed from the Forum
Dharma Caraka, a discussion group for retired ambassadors.
Irsan, along with former minister of religious affairs Munawir
Sjadzali, chair the advisory board.
Members of the advisory board include former ambassador A.R.
Ramly, former minister of home affairs Rudini, former state
minister of environment Emil Salim, ambassador-at-large for
maritime affairs Hasjim Djalal, Golkar legislator Theo Sambuaga
and Jusuf Wanandi of the Centre for Strategic and International
Studies.
The council's executive board is chaired by former ambassador
Suryono Darusman and head of the foreign ministry's Agency for
Research and Development Djohan Sjahperi.
Executive members include former ambassador Atmono Suryo,
international affairs expert Dewi Fortuna Anwar and researcher
Oki Mochtan.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas, who along with Joop
Ave and former foreign minister Mochtar Kusuma Atmadja are
patrons of the council, said "the keen and experienced minds" in
the council "have a particularly valuable contribution to make".
Alatas also expressed hope that the council can help the
public understand and appreciate better the country's foreign
policy.
The activities of the council will include seminars, policy
discussions and lectures by prominent dignitaries.
The council will also publish a quarterly journal titled Duta.
The first edition was launched Tuesday. (mds)