'Spanish factor' shakes EU, ignites debate

'Spanish factor' shakes EU, ignites debate

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The gruesome bomb attacks on the Madrid train stations may lead
to increasing debate on how to respond to the blasts among the
15-nation European Union (EU) and there will be a shift in the
orientation of the Spanish government policy on Iraq, Ruud
Treffers, the Ambassador of the Netherlands, said in Jakarta.

Last week, terrorists launched bomb attacks on three Madrid
train stations in which 201 people were killed and some 1,500
injured.

Treffers, who spoke on "The Significance of the EU's
Enlargement in terms of Politics, Economy and Culture" on Friday
at The Jakarta Post, said the "Spain factor" would also affect
the EU's efforts to reach a consensus on the new constitution.

The EU members are deeply divided on the issue of how to
respond to the Madrid blasts and prevent a repetition elsewhere.

The victorious Spanish Socialist leader Jose Luis Rodriguez
Zapatero made it clear that Spain would seek close cooperation
with other European countries in fighting terrorism.

"An exclusively military approach to terrorism will not work.
It is the causes, which have to be addressed. This involves
fighting poverty, a rigorous policy of human rights and world-
wide social justice," Treffers said.

Zapatero is busy now forming a new Cabinet and it is too early
to expect much from Spain at this moment, he said.

"Before the (Iraq) war, the Socialist party had reservations
about Spain's involvement in Iraq. Now it has received the
Spanish people's verdict," the ambassador said.

It was interesting to hear from Zapatero that Spain would like
to see UN involvement in the next steps in Iraq, he added.

"Spain wants to participate under the UN banner if there is
building, rebuilding or development work in Iraq," Treffers said.

Commenting on the current state of Indonesia-Netherlands
relations, the ambassador said that, by and large, relations were
good.

"There are certain controversial issues that create some
misperceptions among Indonesians about our policies. For example,
there are allegations, though they are not endangering the
situation but can create some mistrust, that we are supporting
separatist movements through our humanitarian and other
activities in Papua and Maluku," he said.

"I should mention that the Netherlands government respects the
territorial integrity of Indonesia. Therefore, these allegations
do not carry any substance," he mentioned.

While explaining his government's foreign policy objective,
Treffers revealed that his government was keen to strengthen
relations with the world's largest Muslim nation especially in
the political field.

"Indonesia must be proud of its pluralistic society, its
approach toward religious freedom and its tolerance," he said
while adding that he appreciated Indonesia's sociocultural values
and democracy.

On bilateral trade, the ambassador admitted that trade and
investment figures were fluctuating. The trade has long been in
favor of Indonesia. For example, Indonesia's exports to the
Netherlands in 2003 stood at US$1.95 billion, where as Dutch
exports to Indonesia were just $300 million to $400 million
during the same period.

When asked about his opinion on the current status of
Indonesia's press freedom, he said there was a need for more
discussion between the judiciary and press representatives
regarding formulating a regulatory framework.

"In my view, the press should be free but responsible," he
said.

The Post invited Treffers and his first secretary (Press and
Culture) Usha Gopie to speak with editors and journalists about
the EU's historic enlargement. Besides holding the position of
Ambassador, Treffers has also been the representative of the EU
President in Jakarta since January 1, 2004.

The Royal Netherlands Embassy in Jakarta has represented the
rotating EU presidency for 18 months: 6 months on behalf of
Ireland, 6 months on its own and 6 months on behalf of
Luxembourg. Ireland and Luxembourg do not have full diplomatic
missions here.

With 25 member countries and 450 million inhabitants, the
European Union (EU) -- after May 1, 2004 -- will create the
largest economy and single market in the world, Ruud explained.

On the first day of May, 10 countries -- Poland, Hungary, the
Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia,
Cyprus and Malta -- will join the EU.