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.