RI ready to broker Korea peace talks

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Amid the fresh tension between North and South Korea, a senior government official said on Tuesday that Indonesia was ready to broker peace talks between the two countries, but was waiting for an invitation.

Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Marty M. Natalegawa said on Tuesday that the government would not push for a peacemaking role.

"If they ask (us to play) a role in whatever form, we will respond," said Marty on the sidelines of a discussion on transnational crimes among ASEAN states.

North Korean ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam is due to arrive in Jakarta on Wednesday for a three-day visit.

Kim's visit comes as fresh tension has surfaced between the two countries, who are technically still at war.

Late last month a naval battle along their border sank a South Korean vessel, killing four sailors.

The North Korean side is believed to have lost 30 sailors, although there was no confirmation.

Both sides blame each other for starting the gun battle.

In the aftermath, Seoul suspended its plans to supply Pyongyang with rice and help it launch a mobile phone service.

The sinking of a South Korean vessel also drowned the hopes for long-awaited talks between the U.S. and North Korea.

Both governments are on uneasy ground, especially since U.S. President George. W. Bush last year branded Pyongyang part of the "axis of evil" along with Iraq and Iran.

Marty said Indonesia was in a unique position that could help ease tension between Pyongyang and Seoul.

Relations between Indonesia and North Korea date back to 1964 under then president Sukarno. Sukarno enjoyed close links with then North Korean president Kim Il Sung, the father of Kim Jon- il, the country's current president.

Kim's visit to Jakarta will also follow President Megawati Soekarnoputri's trip to Pyongyang in March, when she tried to get the North and the South to resume peace talks.

Megawati suggested to North Korea leader Kim to return to the negotiation table but her attempt was not followed up on.