Indonesia eyes UNSC membership

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 05/12/2006 12:08 PM

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali

Having successfully gained a seat on the newly established United Nations Human Rights Council, Indonesia is now striving to represent Asia on the powerful UN Security Council.

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda on Thursday expressed gratitude for Indonesia's recent election to the rights council, adding that he hoped for similar support in the country's bid to represent Asia on the Security Council. Countries also competing for a place on that body include Nepal and South Korea.

""The UN will elect new non-permanent members of its Security Council in November. Our first target of becoming a member of Human Rights Council has been achieved. Now, we hope we can achieve our second target,"" Hassan said after a ministerial meeting of Developing Eight (D-8) countries in Nusa Dua, Bali.

Hassan said the support for Indonesia's rights council bid showed international recognition of the country's efforts to implement human rights principles and for its active role in international fora.

At a Tuesday session, the UN General Assembly elected Indonesia along with 46 other nations to the council, which replaces the old UN Human Rights Commission. Sixty-seven countries competed for the 47 places.

Winning 165 votes from a total of 191 delegates at the session, Indonesia gained the second-highest number of votes in the council's 13-member Asian section, after India with 176 votes.

The country expects tough competition for the 16-member council from South Korea.

Hassan said several countries had expressed support for Indonesia's bid.

Membership on the council is part of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's plan for the country to play a bigger role in international affairs.

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