RI considers quitting 41 international organizations
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The government was considering a withdrawal from its membership in 41 various international organizations for financial reasons, stating that the state budget was too financially strapped to maintain Indonesia's membership those organizations which are not considered a high priority.
Currently, Indonesia has membership in 185 international organizations which requires at least US$17.38 million this year to maintain.
The protracted economic crisis, which has been beleaguering the country since 1997 without an end in sight, has severely reduced the country's ability to pay membership fees in international organizations.
A document submitted on Monday by Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda to the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I showed that the recommendation to withdraw the country's memberships in those 41 organizations was offered by an inter- departmental team involving officials from several ministries.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Marty Nata Legawa confirmed the report, saying that the government had seriously examined each case before it decided to propose withdrawal.
"We have come to that conclusion after a series of reviews by an inter-departmental team," Marty told the press on the sidelines of a hearing between the House Commission I, which oversees foreign policy and security issues, and the ministry of foreign affairs.
International organizations that Indonesia may drop out of include the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the International Union of Local Authorities (IULA), the Albany Post District Commission (APDC), the International Coffee Organization (ICO), the Bureau of International Education (BIE) and International Pepper Community (IPC).
Marty did not reveal how much money Indonesia would save if it pushes through with its plan to withdraw membership in the 41 organizations.
The government, however, plans to maintain its membership in any organizations that support the global war against terrorism.
The document also said that membership in the United Nations would be among the priorities that would be maintained.
Marty added that the team seriously examined the advantages and disadvantages of keeping the country's membership in each of the international organizations.
He said such an evaluation was carried out regularly by an inter-departmental team involving officials from several ministries.