Indonesia may delay Asia-Africa meeting
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.