RI's UNSC seat bid gets mixed reaction
Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia's bid for a permanent seat on a reformed United Nations Security Council is receiving a mixed reaction.
Timor Leste Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta expressed his country's support for Indonesia's bid on Tuesday, when he told reporters, "I will voice our support to Indonesia at the 59th UN General Assembly session on Wednesday."
Antara news agency quoted him as saying that Indonesia, which had helped resolve regional conflicts including those in Cambodia and the southern Philippines, could represent Asia and other countries with large Muslim populations.
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda expressed the country's ambition for a permanent seat on the Security Council during the UN General Assembly session late on Monday in New York.
Hassan said moderate Islam must be given a voice on the council, adding that Indonesia, as a democratic Muslim state, could be that voice.
Dewi Fortuna Anwar, a noted expert in international issues at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, welcomed Hassan's proposal for a seat on the UN's top decision-making body.
"Indonesia qualifies for a permanent seat on the UNSC. Pak Hassan's demand has enough foundation: Indonesia is currently the world's largest Muslim nation and the third largest democracy in the world," she told The Jakarta Post.
She said Indonesia should have a better chance of getting a seat on the council compared to countries like Japan, Germany, India and Brazil, which all have bilateral problems with their neighbors.
Japan, Germany, India and Brazil are also vying for permanent membership on the Security Council.
The council has had the same five permanent members with veto power -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- since the United Nations was established in the wake of World War II.
Ten other nations are elected as nonpermanent members for two- year terms each.
However, Bantarto Bandoro, a foreign policy expert at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, was pessimistic that Indonesia could win a seat due to its tarnished image in the international community.
He said the international community remained concerned over Indonesia's handling of global issues such as terrorism.
"Many countries still perceive that Indonesia, as one of the world largest Muslim countries, is one of the sources of terrorists," he said.
He said that with its image troubles, Indonesia would have trouble lobbying other countries for support, including fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
"I think there are other countries better qualified for this seat. Indonesia has yet to contribute much to handling international problems.
"As a member of the Security Council, the country would have to have comprehensive concepts in dealing with international issues, so it will take a long time for Indonesia to win the seat," Bantarto said.
He added that India and Japan's bids for the same seat would make it even more difficult for Indonesia to win the backing of Asian countries.