Unilateral actions not effective in fighting terrorism: Minister
Unilateral actions not effective in fighting terrorism: Minister
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia reiterated its criticism of certain countries
supporting Australian Prime Minister John Howard's threat of
ordering preemptive strikes against suspected terrorists in Asia,
saying it was against the UN charter of countries' sovereignty.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said the option to
use preemptive strikes was a unilateral act that would not be
effective in fighting terrorism.
"We regret the controversial statements supporting preemptive
strikes. The statements are unacceptable because they go against
the UN chapter of the sovereignty principle," Hassan said.
"The idea would not be effective in the fight against
terrorism since counterterrorism requires a joint effort from the
international community," he added.
The minister further stressed that the comments contradicted
the existing regional and bilateral cooperation between the
countries on terrorism.
He was commenting on the recent development of Howard's
suggestion to amend the UN charter allowing for preemptive
strikes, which received support from the United States and Japan.
U.S. deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage said on
Tuesday that the statement was a wake-up call for Asia to get rid
of terrorism around the region.
"I very much appreciate and support the Prime Minister's
statement," Armitage told AFP.
Howard's declaration had angered its neighboring countries,
especially member countries of the Association of Southeast Asia
Nations (ASEAN).
The governments of Malaysia and the Philippines have been
urged to review all terrorism pacts signed with Canberra
following the statement.
Australia also has a similar pact on terrorism with Thailand
and Indonesia.
The agreement with Indonesia provides a legal base for the
joint cooperation with Australia in the investigation of the Bali
bombing on Oct.12, which killed more than 190 people, mostly
Australian tourists.
When asked whether Indonesia would consider reviewing the
cooperation with Australia, Hassan implied that Indonesia would
not do that.
"Let's just see what the benefits are from the cooperation, as
the statement from Howard only negates the good cooperation," he
said.
The minister further said that there was a possibility that
Howard's stand on preemptive strikes would be discussed during
the informal meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Phnom Penh,
Cambodia, early in January 2003.