RI wants NAM to rise once as peace power

RI wants NAM to rise once as peace power

The likelihood of war in the Gulf should give the upcoming Non-
Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Kuala Lumpur the momentum to
once again emerge as a peace promoter in the world, the Indonesia
foreign minister says.

Minister Hassan Wirayuda said in Jakarta on Monday that the
115 countries of NAM should come out with a peace proposal to
solve the Iraq crisis.

"NAM covers 115 out of 191 United Nations member countries.
The summit could bring new hope for peace to end the stalemate in
Iraq," the minister said on Monday.

With Iraq as part of the movement, Hassan said that there
should be a concerted effort by NAM to ensure that Baghdad
fulfilled its promise to disarm.

"Even with support in the form of massive antiwar rallies
around the globe, Iraq must disarm itself as it is also a very
basic thing to prevent the spread of biological and chemical
weapons," the minister said.

He acknowledged that there would be differences of opinion
among the NAM member countries as some of them supported the use
of force against Iraq, as demanded by the United States.

"However, we will be able to reach the lowest common ground
that all member countries would support a peaceful solution,"
Hassan said.

During the Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 summit, the movement is
expected to issue a joint communique to enhance South-South
cooperation and a declaration to address crises in Iraq,
Palestine and North Korea. -- JP