Indonesia supports declaration of Palestinian state

JAKARTA (JP): Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab said on Tuesday that Jakarta would support the Palestinian leadership in its plan to unilaterally declare independence next month, but stressed that peace talks with Israel must continue.

He also said, without elaborating, that Indonesia was prepared to play a role in the talks.

"Indonesia will support Palestinian independence if it is declared on Sept. 13," Alwi told reporters after meeting with President Abdurrahman Wahid at the Merdeka Palace.

"However, we appeal to both Palestinian and Israeli leaders to return to the negotiating table," Alwi said.

At a summit at Camp David last month, Israel and the Palestinians were unable to resolve difficult sticking points that would enable the peace agreement to be finalized and end their 52-year-old conflict.

The U.S.-sponsored talks collapsed over the future status of Jerusalem, which both sides claim as their capital.

U.S. negotiators are expected to resume talks with the two sides later this month in a bid to determine if they are ready for another round of formal talks.

Alwi also announced Indonesia's readiness to take an active part in the Middle East peace talks.

"Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim nation and therefore it is necessary that we play a role," he said.

He added that he planned to travel to the Middle East later this month with a message from Gus Dur, as the President is popularly called, that Indonesia was prepared to play such a role.

Alwi said he would meet Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Jordan's King Abdullah II and Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad during his visit. (byg)