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.