Indonesia plays key role in new Korean peace initiative

JAKARTA (JP): The United States and South Korea channeled a proposal to North Korea through Indonesia to help bring the involved parties to the negotiating table.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas yesterday confirmed reports that Jakarta had played a key role in the latest initiative to calm tensions in the Korean peninsula.

"I can confirm that we were asked by South Korea and the U.S., but particularly South Korea, to deliver a message for four-way peace talks," Alatas said at his office yesterday.

He added that one reason Seoul approached Indonesia is that Jakarta is a "good friend of both sides".

The proposal which would bring together the two Koreas, the U.S. and China is aimed at finding a comprehensive peace settlement to replace the armistice agreement reached in 1953.

"A few days ago, on Saturday and Sunday, we were approached by South Korea in light of Indonesia's efforts, albeit without much fanfare, in helping to ease tensions in Korea," Alatas said.

According to the minister the proposal was delivered to North Korean Ambassador Jo Gyu Il here on Sunday.

There has been no reply from Pyongyang, though a response may not necessarily come through Indonesia, he said.

Alatas did not say if Indonesia would play a further role.

"Let's wait and see, up to now that's all they've asked from us.

"Of course we didn't just deliver it. We asked about the substance of the proposal and after studying it we found that it was in accordance with our own line of thinking and believe it was a worthy idea to be delivered," he said.

Separately, representatives from the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization are scheduled to meet with Alatas this morning. The three representatives are P. Cleveland from the U.S., Hiromoto Seki from Japan and Chang Sun Sup from South Korea. (mds)