Mega calls for pause in assault on Afghanistan

Mega calls for pause in assault on Afghanistan

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday called for a
humanitarian pause in Afghanistan, warning that prolonged
military strikes against the Muslim country could weaken global
backing for a war on terrorism.

Addressing lawmakers on the first day of the People's
Consultative Assembly's Annual Session, Megawati urged an end to
the U.S.-led strikes against Afghanistan during the coming
fasting month of Ramadhan as well as Christmas.

She did not specifically mention the United States or strikes
against Afghanistan in her 25-page speech, but she appeared to
make it clear that in the context of the coming religious
holidays, "we call for the ongoing military attacks -- to find
terrorist suspects -- and which have caused many innocent people
to become victims, not be continued during the holy month of
Ramadhan and Christmas holiday."

The Islamic fasting month of Ramadhan begins in mid November.
Muslims all over the world will celebrate the Idul Fitri holiday
as a conclusion of the fasting month in mid December. Less than
two weeks afterward, Christians will celebrate Christmas.

"...prolonged military strikes are not only counterproductive,
but also can weaken the global coalition's joint efforts to fight
terrorism."

"For this reason, we call for a humanitarian pause to provide
more room for the handling of the humanitarian aspects while
trying to find a solution through political and diplomatic
means."

The government, she said, would continue to push the United
Nations to play its role in maintaining peace and security in the
world.

Indonesia, despite its stance in condemning and joining global
efforts to fight terrorism, continues to express disagreement
with the U.S.-led strikes against Afghanistan, which many here
believe has caused a new humanitarian crisis in the world.

Initially, the government merely stated its deep concern over
the Afghan attack, but later shifted the stance saying that an
attack against another country for whatever reasons, was
unacceptable.

The shift was considered to be the government's attempt to
appease Muslim groups here and to clarify the stance against the
strike, although, economically the country depends much on the
U.S.

The President also said that "it is not easy to implement a
free and active foreign policy at this time of tumult. The global
economic interest needs a peaceful and secure world with a strong
spirit of cooperation among nations."

The President further said that Indonesia also urged the
Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) to work hand in
hand in dealing with the issue of terrorism, along with other
transnational crimes.

"I am calling for better cooperation among intelligence
agencies and security forces of member countries to deal with
those problems," she remarked.

After the session, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said that
the continuing strikes against Afghanistan would destabilize
political conditions in many countries, "so the UN should take a
more active role to end the crisis."

He also said that the terrorism issue will be discussed in the
coming ASEAN summit in Brunei Darussalam on Sunday to once again
underscore the intention of the ASEAN countries in fighting
terrorism.