Indonesia criticizes UNSC's silence over war
Indonesia criticizes UNSC's silence over war
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia has criticized the United Nations' Security Council
(UNSC) for its failure to take a clear stand against the United
States' military campaign in Iraq.
In his speech during the open debate at the Security Council
on Wednesday, senior diplomat Slamet Hidayat called on the
highest organ of the UN to address the issue that has preoccupied
the world this past week.
"The Security Council must, and must be seen, to be seized of
an issue which is in actual fact preoccupying all of us,
governments and peoples alike," said Slamet, charge d'affaires of
the Indonesian Mission to the United Nations in New York.
"Its silence in calling for the immediate cessation of the
aggression is deafening, indeed," according to the text of his
speech made available by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here.
The meeting, the first since the U.S along with other allied
forces began the military intervention in Iraq last Thursday, was
convened at the request of the Arab League and the Non-Aligned
Movement.
On the opening day, 46 of over 80 countries proposing the
emergency meeting delivered their views. The session on Thursday
(Friday morning Jakarta time) will hear the rest.
Much like most of the world, the Indonesian government and
people have been trying to step up pressure on the U.S. and its
allies to stop the war in the name of humanity.
Indonesia has strongly deplored the U.S. military action in
Iraq, calling it an act of aggression.
Slamet said the U.S. invasion, without the specific approval
from the Security Council, is undermining the multilateralism
principle upon which the United Nations was built.
"We should not, and cannot, belittle what is presently at
stake," he said.
"The fate of the people of Iraq -- certainly. The future of
the immediate regions and beyond -- politically, strategically
and economically -- most definitely.
"Nor can we be oblivious to the potential environment impact
of the war.
"Ultimately, however, it is the very foundation of the United
Nations system, its inherent principle of multilateralism, that is being
tested," he said, adding: "Unilateralism from whatever source
must be held in check."
Slamet urged the Security Council to shoulder its
responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security.
"The Council must unite and join the clarion calls in many
councils of nations and voiced by peoples the world over: End the
war," he said.
Similar criticism was also launched by noted Indonesianist
Daniel Lev, who blamed the Iraq war on the UN's incompetence.
"Most parts of the UN are very weak. As the most authoritative
institution, it has no power to settle the case," he told
reporters after a discussion on Iraq held by 68H news radio.
"If the attack is a must, then it is the UN that has to send
its troops (to disarm Iraq) instead of the U.S. (and its
allies)," he said.
He suggested that the UN reform itself in order not to be
influenced by a single superpower country and move its
headquarters from New York to a more neutral country, such as
Switzerland.
Middle East expert Hamid Bassyai shared Lev's view, saying
that the UN would work more independently if it was headquartered
in a neutral place.
Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda warned
of a possible failure of the UNSC to issue a resolution to end
war as the U.S. and Britain as two permanent members of the
council would likely to veto such a resolution.
However, he insisted that Indonesia would continue the effort
through the UN General Assembly under resolution 337 which has
been entitled Uniting for Peace.
"On the General Assembly we will have a single vote and it
only takes around 96 member countries out of the UN's 191 members
to take action against the war," Hassan said.