New hope for the credibility of RI's diplomacy

This is the second of two articles on the development of Indonesia's diplomacy prepared on a personal basis by Widjoseno Sastroamidjojo, a staff member at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

JAKARTA (JP): The government's diplomatic flexibility, the commitment to peace made by rival East Timorese leaders and the recent agreement between Indonesia and Portugal on a direct vote are positive developments for the feasibility of reaching a just, comprehensive and internationally acceptable solution to political problems in East Timor.

Developments in this important issue will also enable new optimism in the advancement of Indonesia's foreign policy in the years ahead and provide greater opportunities for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to focus its attention on other issues important to Indonesia. Issues that need to be addressed in the coming years include the following:

* The deepening of the ministry's role in the foreign policy decision-making processes.

The reign of the New Order regime inexorably allowed the growing influence of the state's executive branch to supersede national interests. This resulted in the foreign policy decision- making process falling into the hands of a certain group of ruling political elite.

However, such ultimate political power will soon be replaced by the growing institutional role, and a politician from any political party will in the future be able to hold the office of minister of foreign affairs.

To anticipate this new phenomenon, the ministry should enhance its professionalism and maintain its political rationale to develop integrated and reliable foreign policy objectives.

On the other hand, in view of the changing political climate, the government should take into consideration any input or feedback from the ministry before formulating domestic policies with potential external repercussions.

In other words, the relationship between domestic and foreign policy should be reciprocal. Foreign policy is an extension of domestic policy, but, to a certain extent, it is also a reaction to the position of other countries.

* The advancement of Indonesian interests abroad.

In a more democratic Indonesia, the future composition of the House of Representatives (DPR) will reflect the true aspirations of the people. It means that the protection of every single Indonesian citizen abroad -- such as the safety, welfare and labor rights of Indonesian migrant workers and ship crew members -- will become a great concern of the representatives, and will constantly be under their tight scrutiny.

In order to anticipate this development, every diplomatic agent must be fully aware of his or her duties, as well as being more attentive and helpful in attending to the needs and complaints of his or her countrymen.

* The promotion of democratization and human rights.

In the current era of globalization, the ministry should act more as a "spearhead, an agent of change as well agent of reform" (as stated by Director General of Political Affairs Nugroho Wisnumurti) in the promotion of the universal values of human rights and democratization in Indonesia.

Since 1991, the ministry has initiated the establishment of a Permanent Inter-Ministerial Committee on Human Rights to be presided over by the director general of political affairs, a National Workshop on Human Rights, a National Plan of Action on Human Rights, and a memorandum of understanding between Indonesia and the Human Rights Commission regarding technical cooperation on human rights.

* The constructive improvement and strengthening of the cohesiveness and the cooperative relationship with member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Politically, ASEAN so far has been very successful in keeping its members together, and gradually expanding its membership to include the rest of Southeast Asia to become ASEAN 10.

Economically, however, there is still a daunting task that needs to be dealt with, particularly in order to cope with the growing world economic trend of free trade. In this case, the ministry, together with its counterparts from other ASEAN countries, should view the current economic crisis as an opportunity to intensify their cooperation and find new strategies to regain the momentum that was lost in the crisis to put their economies back on track.

* The pursuit of economic diplomacy.

Referring to a statement made by former U.S. under-secretary and assistant secretary of state David D. Newsom that "Diplomacy is totally inseparable from the attitudes and the priority of a nation," one could easily conclude that diplomacy changes from time to time, depending on the interests of the government. Since the economy plays a greater role in the globalization era, it is high time to put Indonesia's economy at the top of its foreign policy agenda.

The ministry, therefore, should develop a new diplomatic strategy to develop its foreign policy to become one with its commercial interests, and to change the priorities of its foreign service officers to become a "one man marketing organization" (commercial diplomacy).

Such a diplomatic strategy -- achieved through cooperation between entrepreneurs and diplomats -- is needed to attract big investors and businesses overseas, particularly to restore Indonesia's economic growth that is essential for the promotion of peace and stability in the region, as well as the political position it deserves. Besides, considering efficiency and effectiveness, it is probably the right time for the ministry to deal with international trade matters.

* The pursuit of preventive diplomacy initiatives in the South China Sea issue.

During the last few years, efforts to find a solution to the South China Sea conflict have appeared to be in slow motion, while the actual disputes over the conflicting area are steadily escalating, primarily due to the assertive moves of China.

Based on this progress, the Indonesian government should pay more attention to the area, particularly with regards to the potential and, perhaps, contentious disputes in the southern extremities of the South China Sea with China.

Nevertheless, new hope for the credibility of Indonesia's foreign policy rests heavily upon favorable domestic conditions, where human rights values are respected and the prosperity of the people are safely guaranteed and protected by the government, by NGOs and, most importantly, by a professional Armed Forces.

In short, every layer of the society should have the responsibility of ensuring those qualities for the glory of the Indonesian nation.