Local issues a new challenges to RI diplomacy

Local issues a new challenges to RI diplomacy

By A.K.P. Mochtan

JAKARTA (JP): Foreign policy is not limited to ensuring
constructive relations among nations. Its other crucial functions
include representing and explaining domestic developments to the
international community.

Unfortunately, the domestic scene, as Indonesia is learning,
is not always picturesque. Irresponsible acts and violence during
the recent election campaign will yield far-reaching
repercussions for Indonesia's foreign policy, in particular its
perennial task of upholding the nation's good standing within the
community of nations.

How does this phenomenon tally with the democratization
process or our commitment to promote human rights? Equally, if
not more importantly, how do we assure others, especially our
immediate neighbors, that Indonesians are not impulsive, that the
masses do not easily get carried away by emotion, despite what
recent incidents may suggest?

The issue is not domestic security, either its lack or excess.
For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the heart of the matter is
securing confidence, not only once, but constantly and on all
fronts.

As Indonesia progresses rapidly, new issues and challenges are
surging to the fore, making the intertwining of domestic and
foreign policies an even closer and inevitable process. Riots and
violence that marred the campaign is but one issue. The foreign
ministry obviously cannot ignore developments in other spheres of
activity, including allegedly controversial policies, such as the
national car project or the gold mining scandal in Busang.

At stake is the nation's pride and honor, not only through the
eyes of the beholder, but according to universal judgment.
However unpleasant or controversial an issue may be, the foreign
ministry must be able to defend and provide justifications for
such an issue vis-a-vis Indonesia's national interests. At the
same time, these justifications must be palatable to
international norms and standards. As the two interests do not
always match, reconciling them requires deft handling.

The foreign ministry is handling routine but expanding
bilateral, regional and international issues well. Under the able
leadership of its senior officials and seasoned diplomats, the
ministry looks certain to craft a niche that will allow Indonesia
to assume meaningful international roles and initiatives
commensurate with its size and aspirations.

Yet, some domestic issues are clouding the ministry's overall
performance. The ministry is stumbling over several old but
nagging issues, notably the human rights situation in East Timor.
Despite its hard struggle in many fora, unresolved problems in
the nation's youngest province have given the ministry constant
headaches. The emergence of new controversial issues is likely to
compound the burden.

A predictable and non-controversial domestic situation would
be an ideal setting for the pursuit of foreign policy objectives.
This ideal setting may not always exist, however. Expectations
may even be unrealistic as they defy the complexity and dynamism
that are imbued within and characterize the development and
nation-building processes in many developing countries, including
Indonesia.

Amid this imperfect setting, the main challenge for the
foreign ministry is to instill higher awareness about foreign
policy objectives, including promoting the country's
international reputation.

This drive must be inclusive, with people in the street, and
encompassing government officials working in the field, as the
most important audience. Indonesians generally display a strong
sense of nationalism. Additional international perspectives would
round out the people's outlook.

This will not be easy or quick. Interest over international
affairs does not grow overnight, if at all. As in international
diplomacy, constant and deliberate engagement often produces the
desired results. In light of this, and noting Indonesia's
dynamics, it is time the ministry re-asserts its presence,
providing more international perspectives on local acts. Not only
will this ensure Indonesia's international standing, but it will
sustain domestic policies as well.

The writer is an analyst at the Centre for Strategic and
International Studies, Jakarta.