RI considers quitting 41 international organizations

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.