RI helps diffuse tension in the region

RI helps diffuse tension in the region

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia, as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN), has drafted a document on the non-proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction in response to the North Korea
nuclear crisis in the up-coming Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM).

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Marty Natalegawa said
Friday that Indonesia remained firm in its stance that a
commitment not to develop weapons of mass destruction was one of
the best solutions to the crisis.

"Aside from the chairman's statement, the ASEM meeting is
likely to issue a separate document on the non-proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction," Marty said.

Asian ministers and their European counterparts are to meet in
Denpasar, Bali, from July 21 through July 24 to discuss various
regional issues, including North Korea's nuclear crisis and Iraq.

ASEM is participated in by 10 Asian countries -- the seven
ASEAN members, China, Japan and South Korea -- and the 15
countries of the European Union (EU).

Indonesia has been trying to play an active role in defusing
the standoff between Pyongyang and Washington over the
possibility of the former possessing nuclear weapons. President
Megawati Soekarnoputri visited North Korea last year.

As soon as Indonesia assumed the presidency of ASEAN and the
ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) last month, the issue of North Korea's
nuclear weapons was back on the agenda, underlining that the ARF
could play a pivotal role in solving the crisis as the disputing
sides are members of the security forum.

The ASEAN ministerial meeting's chairman's statement last
month firmly stated that Pyongyang should adhere to the United
Nations's non-proliferation treaty.

"For Indonesia, the commitment not to develop such weapons and
continued humanitarian assistance for North Korea remain the key
points in solving the crisis," Marty said.

Foreign ministers from 10 Asian countries have confirmed their
attendance in the meeting. From the European side, however, only
the foreign ministers from Italy, Belgium and Ireland have said
they will be attending.

EU Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten also has
confirmed his attendance at the meeting.

France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden and the
Netherlands will be represented by state ministers or deputy
foreign ministers.

When asked whether the ongoing military operation in Aceh
would be among the issues discussed by the foreign ministers,
Marty said Indonesia would be transparent in answering any
questions on Aceh.

"However, so far there are no plans to include Aceh in the
chairman's statement," he said.

The EU and United States have expressed strong opposition to
the ongoing operation in Aceh, insisting that dialog would be the
best way to deal with the separatist issue.

During the ARF meeting last month, the EU and U.S. strongly
opposed a statement acknowledging that the military operation in
Aceh was a justified act by Jakarta to maintain its territorial
integrity.