'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.