The summit of hopeless countries

Look at the statements made by the 114 member countries of the Non-aligned Movement (NAM) during their summit in Kuala Lumpur. They included the countries' rejection of several accusations, concerns over wider unilateral actions, the declining spirit of multilateralism, the increasing practice of intervention, pressure through wars in the name of terrorism, and so on.

The Kuala Lumpur Summit is repeating the same concerns the member countries have been expressing for decades, concerns which have never been solved. Look at the countries of the Organization of Islamic Conference. They have never been successful in making joint actions in dealing with the Palestinian crisis.

NAM indeed, is a large organization in terms of the number of its members as well as their potential. However, the important calls they have made have never materialized. This is becoming worse amid globalization, free trade and stiff competition.

Something should be done but it requires a collective willingness to change the orientation into cooperation. It is late, but we cannot wait until it is very late or until there is nothing that can be done anymore. We cannot improve the situation without hard work.

-- Republika, Jakarta