RI needs foreign policy formulation board: Analyst

RI needs foreign policy formulation board: Analyst

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia should establish a special board to
formulate foreign policy, former ambassador to the United States
Hasnan Habib said yesterday.

Policy-making mechanisms were currently unclear, Hasnan, a
retired Army lieutenant-general, told a seminar reviewing
Indonesia's foreign policy.

Indonesia's foreign policy is made by several government
agencies besides the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Some policies were made at the Coordinating Minister for
Political Affairs and Security level, but the time allotted to
discussing them was often limited, Hasnan said.

A formulation board which could respond immediately to foreign
policy crisis was also necessary, the former ambassador told the
seminar organized by the Centre for Strategic and International
Studies (CSIS).

This, he added, was necessary to clarify the decision-making
mechanism on new problems.

Even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had admitted its
workshops on policy issues needed streamlining, Hasnan said.

The seminar also featured Nugroho Wisnumurti, the director
general of politics affairs of the Foreign Ministry, former
ambassador to Australia Sabam Siagian, Rizal Sukma of CSIS and
Anak Agung Banyu Perwita of Parahyangan University.

Hasnan said Indonesia should also strive to strengthen the
professionalism of its diplomats.

"The ministry has started the efforts, but they are
inadequate," he said.

He noted that many bright and talented university graduates
were not interested in joining the foreign service because of
uncertainties about the diplomatic career path.

Rizal shared Hasnan's view about the need for a standard
mechanism for foreign policy formulation.

"Due to globalization, foreign policy should be less personal
and involve as many public aspirations as possible," he said,
meaning consultations with non-governmental organizations and the
House of Representatives.

However, Rizal said, the required mechanism did not
necessarily mean the establishment of an institution to oversee
the formulation of policy.

"We already have, for example, the National Council of
Security and Defense which gives input to foreign policy-making.
Besides, coordination among cabinet ministers to decide foreign
policy has become common practice," he said.

Golkar legislator Krissantono joined the call for the
government to listen to the people's representatives when making
foreign policies.

He criticized the government for seemingly neglecting the
House during the drawing up of many bilateral treaties.

"The government has never asked for House ratification of the
agreements, although it knows its decisions affect the public,"
Krissantono complained.

"We need a law which requires the government to ask for House
ratification for any international agreements," he said.

He admitted however that the House lacked foreign affairs
experts.

"Therefore the next House should place the right people in the
commission in charge of foreign affairs and drop the traditional
quota of staff," he said. (amd/10)