Indonesia prefers quiet diplomacy on Pyongyang

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia resisted South Korea's lobby to take a harder line against Pyongyang yesterday on the issue of nuclear proliferation in the Korean peninsula, but promised to do all it can to help resolve the dispute.

"We will help by making some quiet efforts. By doing this we hope to contribute to a comprehensive solution to the issue," Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas told reporters after a meeting with his South Korean Foreign Minister Han Sung Joo.

Alatas refused to call the efforts mediation because he viewed the word as too encompassing. "Our role can only be limited to searching for input from parties directly involved in the issue, which will be done through quiet diplomacy."

Indonesia has been cautious in its stand on the Korean peninsula crisis, given its position as chairman of the Non- Aligned Movement (NAM), which includes North Korea.

The South Korean foreign minister has been visiting a number of Southeast Asian capitals in the past week to drum up support for Seoul in its escalating tension with its northern neighbor.

He traveled to Bangkok and Hanoi before coming to Jakarta.

When he met reporters yesterday, Han avoided commenting on the issue brought up during his talks with Alatas.

Indonesia's role

However, Han informed them that the third round of talks between North Korea and the U.S. may take place sometime in the near future. "If a third round takes place, attempts will be made to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue in a more fundamental way."

He said South Korea hoped "to see North Korea comply with the safeguard regulations of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and be a responsible member of the NPT (Nuclear Non- proliferation Treaty)."

Indonesia plans to explore the issue from the most objective point of view possible "to see where the crucial point of the problem is," Alatas said.

"We have of course listened to what Pyongyang has to say. But we have also asserted our stand in the nuclear issue, especially concerning our non-proliferation policy," he said.

"As a NAM and a non-nuclear nation, Indonesia considers non- proliferation of nuclear arms an essential matter. This includes not adding to the number or level of sophistication of existing nuclear weapons."

He emphasized that Indonesia's role was "modest, without any pretension that it plays a special role in the matter. But Indonesia cannot remain quiet, because it is a very important and sensitive problem."

Indonesia has taken a series of steps over the past months to help defuse the tension. The NAM's coordinating bureau in New York consulted with various parties to find out what was happening in connection with the nuclear issue.

Security Council

During the talks with Alatas, Han also probed the possibility of getting Indonesia's support for South Korea's bid for one of the rotating seats at the United Nation's Security Council in 1996.

Alatas indicated that Indonesia has made no commitment to support the bid and has only "expressed sympathy", since Sri Lanka, another Asian country, has bid for the same position.

"Because the decision will not be made until next year, we feel there is enough time to monitor further developments. In the meantime, we will accommodate their aspiration," Alatas said.

Indonesia has secured the support of all Asian countries in its own bid for one of the non-permanent Security Council seats designated for Asia which will become available next year.

Han arrived here late on Sunday for a four-day visit to strengthen bilateral ties. He is scheduled to meet with President Soeharto today and to leave the country tomorrow. (pwn)