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.