On foreign diplomacy

On foreign diplomacy

The hosting of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) annual summit in Bali last October, where the leaders agreed on the creation of the ASEAN Community in 2020, will very likely turn out to be the diplomatic highlight of President Megawati Soekarnoputri's three-year presidency, which comes to an end in October this year. Her chief diplomat, Hassan Wirayuda, worked hard to convince his ASEAN colleagues that the establishment of a Security Community is just as important as Singapore's initiative on the Economic Community. Both are among the pillars of the ASEAN Community.

Some diplomats joked that the security community goal will be easy to achieve -- provided, of course, that Indonesia does something to clean up its own messy house. The joke, however, reflects a more serious aspect: a peaceful and prosperous Indonesia is crucial to the region's security and prosperity, and vice versa.

In terms of achievements, the determination of Megawati's government to bring to justice the perpetrators of the Bali bombings, and the relatively quick identification of those who were responsible for the explosion at the JW Marriott Hotel last year, have won strong international recognition.

Some scholars and legislators have stridently criticized the government's inability to play a significant role in international fora like the United Nations, and in World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations. Indeed, we sometimes felt disappointed that the government often overreacted to such rebukes. Apparently the Ministry of Foreign Affairs still cannot fully adjust itself to the current political reality where the center of power is no longer in the hands of the President alone, but also in other political institutions.

A small example is the revealing of the names of Indonesian ambassadorial candidates by legislators some time ago. Claiming a prohibition on this under international rules, the Ministry simply blamed the press for reporting the names without asking itself whether such a rigid practice needed to be adjusted in a democratic society.

Despite the shortcomings, many of us have been encouraged by recent developments whereby our younger diplomats have been given the opportunities to prove that their capabilities are no less impressive than their more senior colleagues. Look at Marty Natalegawa, the foreign ministry's spokesman and acting ASEAN director general, who is not only very accessible to the media but also clearly authoritative in giving statements.

We must also keep in mind that our performance in international diplomacy greatly depends on our domestic situation. As has been proved in the past, implementing the country's ideal of a "free and active" foreign policy will only be possible when economic performance, and political and security stability, are a lot better. All countries tend to be more inward-looking when confronted by profound domestic problems

At the same time we should also remember that in all circumstances the ultimate goal of our diplomacy must be to promote our national interests, the priorities of which are, for now, boosting trade and foreign direct investment.

At this time, as the nation faces a general election for the country's legislatures in only four months, and its first direct presidential election in only seven, it is natural that the energy and attention of the government and political parties are primarily focused on how to do optimize their success in the elections. Jargon and rhetoric will dominate their public statements. Anti-American campaigns, for instance, would easily get many voters exited, although some political parties are aware that it would not be so easy to live up to the rhetoric.

The government will also continue its current foreign policy at least until October when the country will gain a new government. Understandably, Megawati wants a major international achievement before July. Perhaps she hopes that her current effort to persuade North Korean leader Kim Jong-ill to end the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula will produce a miracle. She will also likely continue visiting other countries to win support for Indonesia's territorial integrity -- at the likely cost of forgetting that the answer to the question of territorial integrity depends on how the government ensures that all citizens feel Indonesia is their true home.

While the incumbent government has only 10 months to go, there are high expectations that the foreign affairs sector will not be ignored.

Whoever takes over the national helm in October, our foreign policy, as well as free-market economic principles, will likely not change much.

And what can we hope now from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs apart from the continuance of its routine international activities? Ensuring better protection for our migrant workers in the Middle East and other major recipient countries is one of the most urgent tasks that needs to be taken in hand. Another priority is to get more concrete foreign investments and not just commitments.

A free and active (proactive) foreign policy has characterized Indonesia since its independence, although it was often misused by the rulers. They ignored the basic spirit of a free and active policy: that the ultimate objective is to protect and promote the well-being of the country's citizens. To that end, continuous efforts are therefore needed to ensure that this is put into practice, regardless of the country's domestic situation.