Ministers criticizes effectiveness of OIC
JAKARTA (JP): Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) criticized yesterday the ineffectiveness of the grouping saying it had failed to forge a common front on many important issues.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Badawi in his address at the plenary session of a ministerial meeting here yesterday gave a critical evaluation of the OIC and urged it to revitalize itself to meet changing global demands.
"Our organization, aside from pious resolutions and rhetoric, has not been able to form a united front, let alone reach consensus on many issues effecting us," he said.
He said internal and intra-state conflicts have debilitated the 54-member state organization.
"If we look closely at the state of the ummah (Moslem community) as we approach the closing years of the 20th Century, what we see is a sobering and disturbing picture of our human condition," he remarked.
Indonesia Monday began hosting the 24th meeting of OIC foreign ministers. The meeting is due to end tomorrow.
The OIC was formed in 1971 and currently comprises 54-members mainly of Islamic or predominantly Moslem states.
Badawi yesterday bemoaned the fact that internal conflicts have rendered members vulnerable to the "machinations of others".
"We are so sapped of our energies and vitality that we are unable to devote ourselves energetically to the task of nation building and to forging the natural bonds of solidarity and economic cooperation within the Moslem Ummah," he said.
The Malaysian minister said the Middle East conflict was one example.
He urged members to rededicate themselves to purposeful cooperation, particularly in the economic field.
"We cannot acquire political strength and influence without economic strength," he remarked.
Meanwhile Iraqi foreign minister Mohammad Said Alsahaf yesterday also stressed the "need to bridge the gap between words and actions as well as between identifying and achieving them".
To the plenary meeting Alsahaf expressed disappointment at agenda item 13 on the issue of missing persons in Kuwait after its war with Iraq.
Maintaining that steps had been taken to resolve the issue, he suggested that OIC form its own commission to investigate and verify the matter. He promised Iraq's full cooperation with the commission.
"The role that the OIC plays should not be marked by bias to one party at the expense of another," Alsahaf said.
The meeting wraps up tomorrow and a 38-point joint resolution is being drafted by delegates. The resolution is expected to include the establishment of Islamic centers and schools, the protection of Islamic historical sites and highlight the fate of women and children in developing countries. (mds)