Indonesia may delay Asia-Africa meeting
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia is considering delaying the initial Asia Africa Subregional Organization Conference (ASROC) meeting in Bandung due to the heated war in Iraq and worldwide threat of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic.
ASROC secretary Bali Moniaga said on Monday that delaying the meeting would be the best choice in ensuring the success of the conference, which is aimed at enhancing cooperation between the countries of the two continents.
"It would be impossible to achieve that goal because of the current chaotic situation, in which the world is thinking about other major problems," Bali told The Jakarta Post.
The conference, cohosted by Indonesia and South Africa, was scheduled to take place in Bandung between April 15 and April 17. No less than 20 regional subcontinental organizations have been invited to participate in the event.
The West Java capital played host to the 1955 Asia-Africa Conference inspired by, among others, founding president Sukarno, who is President Megawati Soekarnoputri's father.
Bali said Indonesia would like to see ASROC become a breakthrough in efforts to rebuild cooperation in all aspects of life between the two continents, which has become more difficult during the current world situation.
President Megawati launched the idea to revive Asia-Africa cooperation during last year's summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Phnom Penh.
She then appointed two special envoys, namely former foreign minister Ali Alatas and senior diplomat Nana Sutresna, to promote the event around the globe.
Megawati said that it was important to rebuild the cooperation and incite the spirit of the Asia-Africa conference in Bandung 48 years ago to unite developing countries.
The 1955 conference marked the establishment of the Non- Aligned Movement (NAM).
Bali said that the suggestion to delay the conference would be further discussed with the President and South African government within the week.
"The official announcement of the delay and its new schedule will be provided after the discussion," the official said.
Another official told the Post that the meeting would be rescheduled for August.