Opposition in Indonesia grows to possible U.S. attack on Iraq
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
An antiwar sentiment pervaded Indonesia as religious organizations and political parties joined force to oppose a possible U.S. attack on Iraq.
Community leaders, political analysts, religious leaders and activists met here on Friday to make clear their opposition to war in Iraq, even with the approval of the United Nations.
"We urge all sides to take action to avoid war and resolve the crisis without any victims," said a statement from a Christian group made available to The Jakarta Post on Friday.
The statement said war would only cause devastation and no side would win if the United States and its allies attacked Iraq.
The country's largest Muslim organization, Nadhlatul Ulama (NU), in a statement signed by deputy chairman Solahuddin Wahid, said any unilateral attack on Iraq would be intolerable and unjustified.
"Even with the support of the United Nations, we remain firm in our stance against war and hope to see a peaceful solution to the crisis," Solahuddin said after the meeting on Friday.
Golkar Party, the second largest political party in the country, also joined in the antiwar chorus, calling on the United States not to attack Iraq because war was not the way to disarm the country and create peace.
"We regret if the United Nations bows to certain countries' hegemony in handling the Iraq crisis," the party said in a statement signed by chairman Akbar Tanjung.
Washington presented evidence to the UN Security Council on Wednesday that Iraq was hiding weapons of mass destruction, increasing the pressure on the world body to pass a second resolution authorizing the use of force to disarm Iraq.
Indonesia has seen protests and rallies over the last two weeks opposing any U.S. attack on Iraq and supporting Germany and France for their refusal to endorse an attack.
Solahuddin said that even if the UN issued a second resolution endorsing the use of force, Indonesia should oppose a war in Iraq in order to reduce any negative impact at home.
He also called on President Megawati Soekarnoputri to address the Iraq issue personally instead of through her aides.
"The President should explain the country's position as a member of the UN, and make it clear that Indonesia is against war, as has been voiced by the people," Solahuddin said.
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda has insisted that Indonesia will not back a U.S. attack on Iraq because war is never the way to resolve problems.
He said the President would likely bring up the Iraq issue during talks with Australian Prime Minister John Howard here next week.
Hassan said he did not believe Indonesia could influence Australia to withdraw its support for a possible U.S. attack on Iraq, but that at least Megawati would make it clear that Indonesia opposed any such attack.
Australia and Britain have been the United States' main allies during the Iraq crisis.
In a closed-door meeting with House of Representatives Commission I for defense and foreign affairs, United States Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce and British Ambassador Richard Gozney shared Indonesia's desire for a peaceful solution to the crisis, but it feared Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had rejected the path of peace.
"I must acknowledge up front that President Megawati Soekarnoputri has told us very strongly, both privately and in public, that she and her government oppose a military solution to the problem of Iraqi disarmament and that we would not obtain Indonesia's support in the event of war.
"The United States shares your President's hope that a peaceful solution can be found. However, as I will explain to you, we fear that Saddam Hussein has rejected the path of peace and is steering his long-suffering nation down an opposite path," Boyce said.