Part 2 of 2: Revisiting our foreign policy

Part 2 of 2: Revisiting our foreign policy

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Jakarta

Remember: What makes Indonesia great and relevant is that, we
have a brand of nationalism that is open, confident, moderate,
tolerant and outward looking. And as our nation grows, we must
make sure that we strengthen this brand of nationalism.

So this brand of nationalism -- the open, moderate, tolerant
and outward-looking nationalism -- must be at the root of our
internationalism.

Let me now move on to the challenges we are facing, in
implementing our independent and active principle.
Of these challenges, the challenge of security is often the first
that comes to mind. In this enlightened age, weapons of mass
destruction, including nuclear, biological and chemical weapons,
continue to proliferate.

As if these were not enough, we have to confront threats of
terrorism and other transnational crimes, massive illegal
migration, epidemics and degradation of the environment.
Then there is the challenge of development, which is basically
the problem of poverty.

Poverty is so widespread in the developing world, because of
the crushing impact of the debt burden, the inability of poor
countries to access export markets, the steady spread of
epidemics, the implosion of cities, and the degradation of the
environment. These are threats spawned by the imbalances and
inequities of international economic relations.

Not all the challenges of the world situation today are
totally unwelcome. There is the challenge of democracy.

All over the world, people are seized with a desire to take
their destiny in their own hands, to personally choose who will
govern them, and to take part in the decision-making processes
that affect their lives.

If a government can accommodate the desire of its people to
claim their basic rights, the results can be exceedingly positive
for the country itself, for its region and for the world at
large.

This is precisely what happened in Indonesia and several other
Asian countries in recent times. Earlier, it happened in South
Africa. It is now beginning to happen in the Middle East and
elsewhere. These challenges clamor for an effective response for
action. Indonesia is addressing these challenges in all the
appropriate multilateral forums, through bilateral arrangements,
and through individual national initiatives.

The foremost multilateral forum through which we address these
challenges is, of course, the United Nations. We are aware that
the UN Secretary-General in his report has presented a carefully
formulated package of proposals in the interrelated fields of
development, security and human rights, as well as for UN reform.

We agree with the basic thrust of the report -- that we cannot
have security without development, nor can we have development
without security, nor can we have both of them without respect
for human rights. We share the Secretary-General's view that, at
the global level we can effectively tackle these basic challenges
only through a reformed and revitalized United Nations.

In this context, we have always urged that the composition and
procedures of the Security Council be reformed -- to make the
Council more democratic and representative of the present world
constellation. We have always stood for the immediate
implementation of the Monterey consensus, and for the completion
of the Doha round of trade negotiations in a way that will favor
development.

In the same context, we appeal to our developed partners to
relieve the developing world of the debt burden and to allocate
0.7 percent of their gross domestic product for official
development aid.

We look forward to the reform of the UN Human Rights
Commission. In the meantime, as Chairman of that Commission, we
are striving as much as we can during our tenure to advance all
human rights all over the world. We will continue to wage an
advocacy for non-proliferation of all weapons of mass destruction
and for disarmament. We keenly anticipate the conclusion of a
convention on terrorism.

We are carefully studying the package of proposals presented
by the Secretary-General and in September, we will seek and work
for collective action in response to these proposals. At the
inter-regional level, we are actively involved in the development
of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership.

At the regional and sub-regional level, the mainstay of our
foreign relations is, our involvement with ASEAN. With the rest
of the ASEAN family, we are now building an ASEAN Community that
rests on the pillars of a Security Community, an Economic
Community, and a Socio-cultural Community.

In building this Community, we in ASEAN are taking full
responsibility for our own security. We will also complete our
integration into a single free trade and investment area.

It is Indonesia's hope that in the process, ASEAN will develop
and nurture common values, particularly those that promote human
dignity and freedom. The cause of democracy and human rights will
thereby be advanced in this part of the world.

Apart from that, a larger integration process will be launched
at the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur later this year. This
Summit will gain significance by virtue of the expected
participation not only of ASEAN and its Northeast Asian neighbors
-- China, Japan and South Korea -- but also of India, Australia
and New Zealand.

ASEAN, however, should remain in the driver's seat, and should
continue to be the center of gravity of the integration process.

There is as yet no clear-cut architecture of the East Asia
grouping that will result from this Summit. But it is possible to
anticipate the development of an East Asia community by 2012.

ASEAN-China, ASEAN-Japan and ASEAN-India free trade areas will
be in place by 2010, and today Australia and New Zealand are
seeking intensified economic engagement with ASEAN. It is just a
matter of time, before the separate arrangements are welded
together, to form one immense and powerful economic unit.

When that community comes into existence, it will comprise
about half of the world's population and include the second
largest economy, and the two most dynamic of the great economies
in the world today.

Let me conclude by saying this: Those of you who have been in
this country would feel that there is a new energy in Indonesia
since the end of last year. I hope you would also notice the
same energy in our foreign policy. Foreign policy has a critical
role in my administration.

After all, we have today an Indonesia that is capable and
eager to actively engage the international community, in the
common task of building a better world.

This article is based on President Susilo's written speech for
the Indonesian Council on World Affairs (ICWA) in Jakarta on May
19.