OIC not taking sides in Afghan conflict: Alatas

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas, as chairman of the Ministerial Conference of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), said yesterday that the group was not taking sides in the conflict raging in Afghanistan.

"The conference is not the taking side of anyone. This must be understood, don't misinterpret it," Alatas told journalists yesterday.

The 24th OIC foreign ministers' meeting, at the end of its opening day Monday, agreed to leave Afghanistan's seat vacant. The meeting continues through Friday.

Representatives from the Taliban and those loyal to ousted President Burhanuddin Rabbani are both in Jakarta vying for the seat.

The Taliban seized Kabul in September and ousted the Rabbani government. However fighting continues as both sides battle to gain control of the country.

Rahim Gaffoorzai, a representative of Rabbani's faction, expressed disappointment at the decision, saying that it was like a stabbing victim who been attacked again.

Nevertheless he said he could understand the OIC's position.

Gaffoorzai also met with Alatas yesterday to discuss the recent developments in Afghanistan.

"I emphasized the need for Indonesia to play a role to exert every effort and use their good offices to see that this conflict can be brought to an end," he said.

Formed in 1971, the OIC currently comprises 54 member states. Suriname became the newest member Monday.

Meanwhile both the plenary and the four committees of the conference continued yesterday with delegates deliberating on various resolutions.

The committee on economic and social affairs finished its debate on 35 resolutions -- 30 on economic cooperation between members and five on science and technology, and have them ready for adoption at the end of the gathering.

Agus Tarmizi who is Indonesia's permanent representative to the UN office in Geneva, said the committee agreed to issue a call that regional economic cooperation, including that among developed countries, should not be promoted in ways which harm the interests of OIC members.

One of the committee's resolutions will be to call on the World Trade Organization (WTO), currently holding its meeting in Singapore, not to let political issues determine its decisions on membership applications.

Agus then directly referred to the WTO's stance on China.

Hadi Wayarabi, who represents Indonesia on the administrative and financial affairs committee, said one of the subjects discussed yesterday was some members' failure to pay their membership fees.

Other draft resolutions being drawn up include the establishment of Islamic universities, the building of mosques in Bosnia and various expressions of concern toward the stalled Middle East process.

Officials have also said that the issue of Afghanistan will be included in the final communique however its substance has yet to be revealed.

Meanwhile conference sources said Indonesia plans to nominate Indonesian Hadi Wayarabi for the vacant post of assistant to the OIC secretary-general in Asia. Three other countries -- Iran, Turkey and Pakistan -- are also reportedly campaigning for their own candidates.

Wayarabi refused to comment yesterday when asked for confirmation. (swe/mds)