RI ready to take seat on UNSC

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 09/06/2006 7:29 AM

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia is poised to become a nonpermanent member of the world's powerful United Security Council (UNSC) after gaining overwhelming support from many countries, a minister said Tuesday.

The election will take place during a UN meeting Oct. 16 in New York.

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said his office sent special envoys and letters to almost all members of the UN since early this year as part of the effort to win a seat on the council.

""We have lobbied most UN members during the first half of the year ... and have secured commitments of support from many countries,.""

He said with the widespread support, Indonesia was confident of election to the UNSC, further enhancing its position in international politics. It would follow its election to membership in the newly established the United Nations Human Rights Council early this year.

The Foreign Ministry's director-general for multilateral affairs, Moh. Slamet Hidayat, said that Indonesia secured support, both verbally and written, from over 100 UN members.

""Over 100 countries have given us letters of support or told us of their approval of Indonesia's place in the UNSC,"" he told The Jakarta Post.

Hassan said Indonesia's chances of taking a seat on the council next month increased following South Korea's recent withdrawal from the race. The only other contender for the seat, which is reserved for an Asian nation, is Nepal.

Some observers believe Seoul dropped out of contention because it needed Indonesia's support for its campaign to propose Ban Ki-moon, the current South Korean foreign minister, to become UN secretary-general to replace Kofi Annan.

""It's not that black and white. Possibly, South Korea feels that it not easy to win two important posts in the UN at the same time,"" Hassan said of the speculation.

He added that Indonesia deserved to receive support from the international community because of its good track record in helping maintain world peace.

Indonesia has been seeking to raise its international profile in recent months, offering to help mediate in the Iranian and North Korean nuclear disputes.

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