RI regains its lost clout in 2004 on the int'l scene

Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

After a turbulent six-year journey from an authoritarian regime to a full-fledged democracy, Indonesia -- which is home to the largest Muslim population in the world -- fully regained in 2004 its clout in international politics.

The 1997 Asian financial crisis devastated the country's economy and lacerated its sociopolitical set up. It pushed Indonesia, the founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Association of Southeast Nations, to the verge of becoming a failed state when Jakarta was hit by violent riots in 1998.

Today, the democratic Indonesia -- which has improved a lot in terms of law and order, and made human rights, regional autonomy, economic and political reforms its main agenda -- is not only proud of its achievements during the last six years but also poised to become, once again, a dynamic economy in the coming years, under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"We are proud of this democracy of ours. It is the fulfillment of a universal human aspiration, and yet it is unique to us. It sprang from our native soil, a true child of our culture. It was not imposed from outside, at gunpoint.

"Democracy is never a miracle. Never a gift nor something imposed. It is always hard-earned, often the fruit of many sacrifices," Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said at the 59th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 27, 2004.

Indonesia -- a multi-racial, multi-religious and multiethnic nation -- has one giant neighbor that has nuclear weapons on its northern coast and another neighbor, Australia, which has close defense ties with the U.S. Yet, Jakarta has no external enemies. There lies the unique nature of Indonesian foreign policy, which propagates the principle of peaceful-coexistence.

"We continue to strengthen our relations with all our neighbors. We have made a fresh start with Timor Leste (East Timor) and we are building a strong relationship. We look forward to a future of bilateral peace, friendship and cooperation," Hassan said.

East Timor, a former province, was separated from Indonesia in 1998 through a UN-administered referendum.

Indonesia has resolved its bilateral problems -- including sensitive border disputes -- with Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines through peaceful negotiations and international arbitration.

While leading ASEAN (2003-2004), Indonesia opened a new chapter in the history of the 37-year-old ASEAN by proposing the establishment of an ASEAN Community with three pillars -- the ASEAN Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-cultural Community. This proposal was part of the Bali Concord II.

"It's an ambitious and bold program proposed by Indonesia. We Indonesians must support our Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda and his colleagues in this bold step," Dewi Fortuna Anwar, a well- respected foreign policy expert at the Indonesian Institute of Science, said.

The ASEAN Community action plan was subsequently accepted by all the leaders of ASEAN during their recent summit in Laos. It is the biggest success of Indonesia's foreign policy in 2004.

Indonesia successfully hosted the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, ASEAN Regional Forum Meeting and the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conferences in June and July, despite security concerns after terrorist attacks in the country in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Indonesia has neither economic nor military clout in international politics, but it has special leverage that allows it to facilitate smooth relations with any problematic country.

Thanks to its diplomatic maneuvers, Indonesia was successful in facilitating the meeting between the foreign ministers of North Korean and South Korean here in Jakarta.

No other country in the world, including Pyongyang's close allies China and Russia, can match Indonesia in its ability to bringing foes to the negotiating table. Indonesia maintains close ties with both India and Pakistan, for example.

"Indonesia has made key contributions to the peaceful resolution of conflicts in its region, notably in Cambodia and Southern Philippines," Hassan said.

Indonesia pursues its sovereign foreign policy. Despite its close partnership with the world's only superpower, the U.S., in the global war against terror, Indonesia has outrightly rejected the U.S. invasion of Iraq, and sending its troops to Iraq.

On another occasion, Indonesia expressed its objection to the idea of placing U.S. Marine forces in the Strait of Malacca to protect ships from terrorist attacks.

"The security of the Strait of Malacca is the responsibility of coastal countries (littoral states), not that of any third country," Hassan said in April 2004.

While addressing the UN General Assembly, Hassan sought a permanent place for Indonesia on the UN Security Council.

"As the world's third largest pluralistic democracy, the fourth most populous country, the world's largest Muslim nation, a country of tremendous cultural diversity and a member with a track record of serving in various peace initiatives of the UN, Indonesia has an important global constituency on the Council,

"A developing world striving not only for social and economic progress but also for democratization must have a voice on the Security Council, moderate Islam must have a voice on the Council. Indonesia would be that voice," Hassan said.

Despite successes, Indonesia and its diplomats face a litmus test in the security of thousands of Indonesian workers -- both legal and illegal -- in various countries.

President Susilo has personally urged all Indonesian diplomats to provide maximum security for Indonesian workers abroad.

The new government has expressed its intention to play a key role in the Middle East peace process. Perhaps, Indonesia should begin its initiative by helping Palestinians conduct free and fair elections.

The year 2005 will be a big challenge for Indonesian foreign policymakers as the 60-year-old Republic of Indonesia will hold the historic Asian-African Conference in April in Jakarta and Bandung. The success of this conference will not only boost Indonesia's image on the international scene, but also restore its stature of 50 years ago, as the leader of the developing world.