Soeharto urges OIC to boost trade links

Soeharto urges OIC to boost trade links

JAKARTA (JP): As host of the ministerial meeting of the
Organization of Islamic Conferences (OIC), Indonesia urged the
body yesterday to strengthen development cooperation to combat
the economic plight facing many of its member states.

President Soeharto, in his opening address, underscored the
importance of cooperation as a field often neglected by the 53-
member organization.

"The existing potential for economic cooperation among
developing countries in general, and the OIC member states in
particular, has so far not been maximally exploited," Soeharto
said.

He expressed the belief that with the resources available, the
OIC could make a substantial contribution to South-South
cooperation.

Indonesia began hosting and chairing the 24th OIC ministerial
meeting yesterday. It continues until Friday.

The OIC was formed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in May 1971. Its
members include Islamic states or countries, like Indonesia,
which have a predominantly Moslem population.

It comprises mostly Middle East and African states. Indonesia
along with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brunei, Malaysia and Pakistan
make up the Asian members.

Soeharto pointed out that the OIC is unique compared to other
developing country organizations since it is equipped with an
array of institutional and operational instruments for economic
cooperation, such as the Islamic Development Bank.

Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas, as chairman of the
meetings, also weighed the need to heighten economic cooperation,
"without in any way neglecting the burning political issues and
the vital security concerns that we all share."

"Since all nations today whether developed or developing are
preoccupied with development, it stands to reason that we should
now place economic issues at the top of our agenda," Alatas said.

Though already in its 25th year, the OIC has been bogged down
by political issues. It has achieved only limited success in
resolving conflicts among member states.

One issue which has split the OIC is the Gulf crisis and
ensuing United Nations economic sanctions against Iraq.

Speaking to journalists, Iraqi foreign minister Mohammed Said
Al-Sahaf said the OIC has "no role at all" in helping lift the
sanctions against Baghdad.

"And we are not depending on it," he remarked adding that
Baghdad sought support through its bilateral ties.

While there remains splits on various political issues, the
OIC appears to be in chorus over its recrimination of Israel.

Soeharto reaffirmed Indonesia's support for Palestine and
demanded Israel honor the agreements it has made.

He added that for comprehensive peace, "Israel must
unconditionally withdraw from the Syrian Golan Heights and
Southern Lebanon."

OIC Secretary-General Hamid Algabid said the Middle East peace
process has been marking time since the accession to power of the
new Israeli government which, he said, has failed to comply with
previously made agreements.

Pakistani foreign minister Sahabzada Yaqub Khan, in his
statement, also underlined the importance of the OIC to reiterate
its unstinted support for the Palestinian and Arab people.

Looking ahead, Soeharto urged the organization yesterday to
take necessary steps to review its internal management.

"We need to apply more efficient procedures and working
methods in managing the work of our organization," he said adding
that the OIC "should adopt a set of realistic and attainable
objectives."

Similarly Alatas argued that new strategies were needed to
forge a greater OIC role on the world stage.

"We should not merely react but strive to develop the
appropriate concepts, strategies, and initiatives that will
enable our organization to exert a more vigorous influence on the
direction of global developments and play a more decisive role in
the management of the major problems of our time," he said. (mds)