Ministers criticizes effectiveness of OIC
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)