OIC ministers end meeting with new economic vigor
JAKARTA (JP): The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) ended its five-day foreign ministers meeting here yesterday with a new-found vigor to forge economic cooperation and the possibility of an Islamic common market.
While political issues remained at the forefront of the 54- member organization's concerns, economic cooperation gained new impetus in the meeting chaired by Indonesia.
The 130-point joint communique reflected this new push for deeper cooperation.
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas welcomed the positive response to boost economic cooperation which had been underscored by President Soeharto in his opening statement to the meeting Monday.
"We have therefore resolved to strengthen and enhance the institutions and mechanisms for economic cooperation that we have already established, with a view to rendering then fully operational and thus accelerate social and economic development in the Islamic world," Alatas said in his closing remarks.
The OIC was formed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 1971. Suriname became the newest member when ministers adopted its admission Monday.
The OIC comprises mostly of Middle East and African nations. Indonesia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brunei, Malaysia and Pakistan make up the Asian membership.
The admission of Suriname however has prompted the OIC to ponder establishing a more definite criteria for membership. Suriname is neither a Moslem state nor does it represent a country with a high percentage of Moslems.
The organization's new impetus in economic cooperation is clearly stipulated in the joint communique which urges Islamic countries to establish a common market.
While details are vague, the joint communique asserts the need to take serious steps to ensure economic integration of a common market with the ultimate objective of establishing an Islamic common market.
Addressing ongoing political issues, the OIC expressed its concern on the impasse of the Middle East peace process.
The need for support in the rehabilitation of Bosnia- Herzegovina was highlighted and the urgent necessity for a mechanism which would allow reconciliation in Afghanistan was also stressed.
Unrest in Afghanistan caused much debate on the first day of the meeting as delegates from both sides of the conflict vied for the Afghan seat in the OIC. Controversy was averted by keeping the seat vacant.
In an unprecedented move, the OIC, in its communique, addressed the issue of East Timor. The organization expressed its support for Indonesia's position after Indonesian delegates in the political committee meetings explained Jakarta's version of the matter.
"Indonesia is also grateful for the firm support that all of you accorded to its position on the East Timor issue," Alatas told delegates yesterday.
The OIC's show of support comes hot on the heels of the Nobel Peace Prize presentation to an East Timor bishop known for his critical comments of Jakarta and a leading figure in the East Timorese independence movement.
Other international issues touched upon included the question of Jammu and Kashmir, cooperation on tackling the refugee problem in Moslem states, and concern over the extra-territorial application of domestic laws by certain countries.
The meeting also elected Azzadine Laraki as new OIC secretary- general to replace Hamid Algabid.
It further welcomed Qatar's offer to host next year's ministerial meeting.
After chairing the meeting for the past five days, Alatas expressed satisfaction at the results. "We conducted intensive deliberations on issues of vital concern not only to the Islamic world but to all of humankind," he remarked. (mds)