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