RI becomes UNSC member

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 10/17/2006 10:27 AM

Avian E. Tumengkol, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) announced Monday that Indonesia had become a nonpermanent UNSC member for 2007-2008, with 158 votes from member states.

Indonesia's strongest competitor in the race to represent Asia was Nepal, following the sudden withdrawal of South Korea last month.

Indonesia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Rezlan I. Jenie, said the country's membership on the UNSC is an acknowledgment from world nations that it plays a key role in maintaining global peace, security and stability.

""There will be a number of key issues, one of which will be Indonesia's role in the Middle East. We want peace in that region,"" Rezlan told The Jakarta Post by phone.

The assembly also elected Belgium, Italy and South Africa to the council. Guatemala led the voting for the remaining seat, but failed to amass enough votes to be confirmed. The five countries elected Monday will replace Denmark, Greece, Tanzania, Japan and Argentina, all of which will leave the council at the end of the year.

Indonesian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Makarim Wibisono said the election was a positive sign for Indonesia and its role in promoting global peace.

He added that this gives the country momentum toward playing a key role in the international arena.

""Indonesia's membership in the UNSC allows us (Indonesia) to implement our constitution to ensure global peace and security based on justice and fairness,"" said Makarim.

""Indonesia's agenda ought to concentrate on re-energizing multilateralism as a central principle in international relations,"" said Indonesia's former envoy to the UN in New York.

Makarim stressed that reforming the Security Council was essential. To ensure the council's legitimacy, he said, it was important to make it representative, responsive and effective.

Minutes after the official results were announced, a top Indonesian official in Jakarta told The Jakarta Post that Indonesia now faces a great deal of responsibility as the government will play an international role in a world still rife with conflicts and hot spots.

Presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal stated that Indonesia is positive it can contribute to the UNSC. He said that Indonesia had a very independent foreign policy, had no state enemies and had close relations with major powers, Asia, and all UNSC members. He said in addition it had strong diplomatic assets, which will allow the country to act as a bridge to promote international peace and stability.

""As an Asian country with a long history of diplomatic activism, Indonesia under Yudhoyono's presidency is uniquely positioned to address critical security issues in Asia,"" Dino said. He added that Myanmar, North Korea, Iran, and the Middle East are listed as prominent issues in the UNSC agenda.

Dino said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would issue an official statement welcoming Indonesia's UNSC membership Tuesday.

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