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)