RI foreign policy enters a new phase

RI foreign policy enters a new phase

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said
yesterday that the start of the Second Long Term Development Plan
(PJPT II) marks a new era in the country's foreign policy.

"It's quite clear that not only domestically are we closing an
era, but in terms of international relations and foreign policy
we too are entering a transitional phase," Alatas said
elaborating on President Soeharto's state address to the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Aug. 16.

Speaking after meeting with visiting foreign journalists at
his office, Alatas explained that new obstacles and challenges in
the international sphere face the country in the years to come.

"If we aren't in a new era yet, then we're definitely entering
a transitional stage leading into one," he said.

In his State of the Nation address, President Soeharto said
that with the end of the Cold War era, the focus has shifted to
developing a better and more equitable economic order.

However, the President warned that, "the advanced countries
are trying to arrange the global economy by themselves."

"In such a world evolution, there is every possibility the
advanced countries will become more advanced and the
underdeveloped countries more underdeveloped," Soeharto said.

For that reason, Soeharto said the Non-Aligned Movement, which
he currently chairs, is mobilizing solidarity and forces in a
non-confrontational approach so developing countries are not left
even further behind.

Alatas said that as Indonesia celebrates its 49th anniversary,
the nation should brace itself for new conventions prevailing in
world politics.

"We are entering a phase where the assumptions, rules and
policies which divided the world in two are no longer
applicable," he said. "A new philosophy is needed to brave the
fresh challenges ahead." (mds)