Nurturing a fledgling democracy

Nurturing a fledgling democracy

This is the second of two articles based on an address to the
Indonesian Council on World Affairs by Kofi Annan, the UN
Secretary-General in Jakarta on Feb. 16, 2000.

JAKARTA: Separatism is a challenge facing many countries. Each
case involves different realities and conditions; each requires a
different approach. But most of them do have one thing in common;
although they may have security implications, they are, in
essence, not security problems. They are political problems and
as such, they require political solutions.

Separatism is a much more complex issue than terrorism --
though it is often identified with terrorism, because some
separatists use terrorism to promote their cause.

We cannot say that separatism is always wrong. After all, many
member states of the United Nations today owe their existence to
separatist movements in the past. But please do not think that
means the United Nations is predisposed in favor of separatism,
or that its purpose is to break up large states into smaller
ones.

On the contrary, the purpose of the United Nations is to
enable peoples to live together without conflict. If there is one
thing we hate in the modern world, it is so-called ethnic
cleansing -- the idea that people can live safely only among
their own kind, and that the price of survival is to expel or
exterminate anyone whose language, or religion or culture, is
different from their own. The United Nations will oppose that
idea wherever we are given political responsibilities -- from the
Balkans to East Timor.

The truth is that many separatist movements are wrong.
Breaking up large states into smaller ones is often a wasteful
and unimaginative way of resolving political differences.

But those who oppose separatism have got to show that their
solution is less wasteful and more imaginative. Minorities have
to be convinced that the state really belongs to them, as well as
to the majority, and that both will be the losers if it breaks
up.

Conflict is almost certain to result if the state's response
to separatism causes widespread suffering in the region, or among
the ethnic group concerned. The effect then is to make more
people feel that the state is not their state, and so to provide
separatism with new recruits.

Like other political problems, separatism can be resolved
successfully only through patient and painstaking confidence --
building and dialog. By showing that staying together is the best
solution for all concerned. There are no quick fixes, no short-
cuts. Wounds that have festered for a long time cannot heal
overnight. Nor can confidence be built or dialog develop while
fresh wounds are being inflicted. It is a process that requires
all parties to renounce violence.

And it requires special efforts to uphold human rights. If
innocent civilians are not protected, if their rights are not
safeguarded, their suffering can only breed further hatred.

Therefore, let me pay tribute to President Abdurrahman Wahid
and his government for the emphasis they are putting on good
governance, on the rule of law, on improved civil-military
relations and on accountability for corruption and violations of
human rights. Let me congratulate them on their courage in
seeking to come to terms with the past, as an essential part of
the search for a new way forward.

Let me also thank the government for its clearly expressed
desire to open a new chapter in Indonesia's relations with East
Timor. However difficult these relations may have been in the
past 25 years when they were imposed by one side without regard
for the wishes of the other, it remains true that East Timor and
Indonesia are bound together by geography and history.

Now that the right of the Timorese people to their own state
has been clearly recognized, their own leaders -- showing great
magnanimity and statesmanship -- have been the first to recognize
how important it will be for that state to have good relations
with Indonesia.

An independent East Timor is, therefore, not a threat to
Indonesia's security. Rather, it can enhance the stability and
prospects of your region. By the very fact of its history and
location, East Timor is connected with Portugal, Europe and
Iberian world, with Australia and the south Pacific. These
countries and regions are crucial in assisting East Timor's
transition to independence. And all of them, I believe,
understand that East Timor has a far better chance to prosper as
an independent state if Indonesia, too, is prosperous and
successful.

But the world's stake your success is far from being confined
to the success of East Timor. As the world's fourth most populous
country; as its largest Muslim-majority state; and as its largest
nation of islands, straddling major shipping lanes, you carry
great political weight and strategic importance. And you have
used that position wisely.

You have staked the success of your economic recovery on a
successful transition to democracy, and vice versa. This brave
choice is not only the best hope for the people of Indonesia. It
is also a shining example for the whole region -- and indeed the
world. Your success will have implications reaching far beyond
your borders. Your country's well-being is critical to longterm
political stability in Southeast Asia and beyond.

That is an awesome responsibility. it means you cannot afford
to fail. You owe it to yourselves to succeed -- to yourselves,
and to the world.

I wanted to entitle this speech "Unity in Diversity" not only
because the words are enshrined on Indonesia's coat of arms; but
also because the reality behind the words are the foundation of
Indonesia's past, present and future.

Ever since the old Javanese motto was introduced by a saint of
the Majapahit Kingdom in the 15th Century, it has signified the
unity of the Indonesian people despite their diverse culture and
ethnicity. It has summed up the meaning of our common humanity.

In this globalized world, it is more relevant than ever.
Because in our interdependent world -- as the impact of the
financial crisis reminded us what affects one nation affects us
all. What defines us as human beings is not race, creed or
geography. What gives most people's lives purpose and content is
the chance of a decent life in freedom from fear and freedom from
want; a successful part in the global economy, for their children
and their grandchildren.

Surely, that is what makes up our common humanity and the
foundations of our unity. Surely, that is why we should honor and
celebrate our diversity. And so, if there are any words I will
always remember from this visit to Indonesia, it is Bhinneka
Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity). Indeed, I cannot think of a
better motto for the world as a whole -- and particularly for our
United Nations.