Revising foreign-policy management

Revising foreign-policy management

Yayan GH Mulyana, Bogor, West Java

Foreign policy is a sector that has received little attention
from the Indonesian public, particularly in relation to the
emergence of the new government. While many quarters have raised
questions and made suggestions to the new government on how to
address such critical issues as legal reform, economic reform,
clean and good governance, education, gender equality, and the
environment, what the new government should do in the sector of
foreign policy has hardly been explored.

The new government should realize that in the age of
globalization, the fate of a nation is shaped not only by
domestic factors but also by international forces, as well as the
capacity and capability to manage those factors. Thus, the new
government should more explicit and articulate in its foreign
policy platform.

From the issue point of view, the new government is supposed
to frame its foreign policy priorities and decide what aspects of
foreign policy will be adapted and what will be kept unchanged. A
concentric circle approach as practiced by the outgoing
government may be used for such prioritization and decision
making. This approach has placed ASEAN, Tripartite Dialog
involving Indonesia, Australia, and Timor-Leste, South West
Pacific Dialog Forum, and Pacific Islands Forum in the first
circle of priorities. The second circle comprises China, Japan,
and South Korea and India. EU, UN, OIC, G-77 and NAM lie in the
third circle.

Another method that can be used in setting up foreign policy
priorities is "thick prioritization." This method identifies
consequences that each existing foreign policy commitment brings
about for the Indonesian government and populace. Based on those
consequences, new commitments are made. ASEAN Community, for
example, is a commitment that requires public participation in
its process and ultimate realization. This initiative requires
new commitments to the promotion of societal participation in the
process toward the creation of an ASEAN community. Similar new
commitments will be required in the process toward the New Asian
African Strategic Partnership.

Managing foreign policy should also consider the nature of the
issue and the emerging plurality of actors in foreign relations.
Some issues are exclusively international but others are
intermeshed with domestic issues in a contextual confluence.
Within this context, foreign policy formulation and
implementation should consider dynamics not only at the
international level but also at the domestic level. Issues such
as terrorism and trans-border crimes -- including drug
trafficking and people smuggling -- are intermeshed.

Actors that have interest in or pay particular attention to
one or more aspects of foreign policy tend to vary in the current
context of Indonesia. As civil society is steadily developing,
some of its elements continue to affect foreign policy. Those
elements include activist groups in human rights and environment
as well as think tanks.

In the advent of multiple actors affecting foreign policy, it
is of utmost importance for the new government to develop a
modality or mechanism that helps administer their involvement in
different phases of foreign policy. Such a modality should
recognize the position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the
primary agent in the conduct of foreign policy. This is compliant
with Law No. 37/1999 on foreign relations.

Informed citizens will be able to provide a high quality
contribution to foreign policy processes. Accordingly, it is
pertinent that the new government outlines a program aimed at
promoting foreign policy literacy. Since this is a time-consuming
and difficult venture, civil society groups, including NGOs, the
media, and research and educational institutions could assist in
the process. They could complement government efforts in
providing the public with information and materials that could
help them become more literate in foreign policy issues.

From the institutional point of view, the new government is
required to consolidate existing relevant agents and institutions
in order to address the issues effectively. Thus, substance
dictates the construction and deconstruction of agents and
institutions. First, presidential competency in foreign relations
and attachment to issues critical to national interests are
important factors affecting foreign policy leadership. Second,
the vice president's role in foreign relations could be enhanced
to the point that his tasks strengthen the leadership. In the
history of the American vice presidency, Al Gore has been
regarded as a role model that injected new vigor into U.S
domestic and foreign policies.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs that continues to undergo
reform toward an ideally viable organization remains important in
the whole conduct of foreign policy. Strengthening focal points
for international cooperation at relevant ministries is also
important so that they can contribute to the whole process of
foreign policy making and implementation constructively. As the
process of regional autonomy unfolds, it is also essential to
strengthen the local governments' capacity in conducting foreign
relations coherent with the national government's foreign policy
platform.

The new government may also consider establishing additional
agents or bodies in order to amplify the capacity to perform a
high profile foreign policy. Those extra agents or bodies include
special envoys or advisors concerning issues vital to national
interests, blue ribbon commissions, or what is commonly known as
a national security council. Those initiatives could be permanent
or ad hoc.

The new government might want to establish a special envoy or
an advisory board for conflict resolution mandated to address
ethnic and separatist-driven conflicts that could jeopardize the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Indonesia. It may also
wish to found a national advisory council for foreign policy and
security affairs directed to advise the president in security and
foreign policy matters.

The best measure that the new government can take is to
consolidate what already exists rather than to appoint new agents
or establish new institutions. Improving coordination and
cooperation among agents and bodies responsible for foreign
policy is urgent. A careful needs analysis should be conducted
before new institutions are established.

Lastly, from the administrative point of view, it is also
relevant that the new government draws a foreign policy plan and
strategy or a foreign policy white paper. It would be ideal if at
the earliest stage of administration the new government had
something in writing on its foreign policy priorities and
objectives and how to accomplish them. This strategy will be of
great significance in the evaluation of the performance of the
new government's foreign policy.

The writer who can be contacted at yanvontsazik@yahoo.com
currently serves as had of the Secretariat for Advisers and
Special Envoys of the President at the Indonesian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. The ideas expressed in this article are his own.