Playing the UNSC card

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Thu, 10/19/2006 10:37 AM | Opinion

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono explained to journalists Tuesday his government's ambition to play a role in resolving problems in the Middle East and North Korea, following Indonesia's success in securing a non-permanent seat on the 15-member United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the next two years, starting Jan. 1.

This success at the United Nations seems to be a consolation prize for Yudhoyono after missing out on this year's Nobel Peace Prize, though the President denies the Nobel was ever an ambition of his.

But no matter, winning a seat on the Security Council is commendable, no matter how decisive a role Jakarta can really play at the UN. The Constitution requires the country to play a free and active role in international affairs and in campaigning against all forms of colonialism in the world. Unfortunately, Indonesia itself has a record as a colonial power, occupying East Timor for about 23 years until the Timorese were allowed to vote for independence in 1999.

Security Council membership will give President Yudhoyono the chance to demonstrate his diplomatic expertise. The President has become Indonesia's chief diplomat, with Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda serving as his executive officer. It has become common for heads of government or state to play the foreign affairs card in compensating for their failures at home. We need to remember, however, that the ultimate goal of foreign diplomacy is to advance the prosperity of the nation, not to fulfill a leader's personal ambitions.

The deadlocked (as of late Wednesday afternoon) race between two Latin American countries, Venezuela and Guatemala, to become non-permanent members of the UNSC has largely overshadowed the success of Indonesia, along with Italy, Belgium and South Africa, in joining the club. The prospect of Venezuela gaining membership to the Security Council is worrying for major powers, especially the United States, because Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has set himself up as one of the most outspoken opponents of U.S. President George W. Bush's administration.

Membership on the Security Council is a positive step for Indonesia, which since its independence in 1945 has played a significant role in international diplomacy, including helping to establish the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Indonesia also held a non-permanent seat at the Security Council from 1973-1974 and 1995-1996.

It is in the interests of the country and the world if Indonesia can contribute to world peace and prosperity. It should be remembered, however, that at the Security Council the five permanent members hold supreme power with their veto right. Because of that, it is absurd if Jakarta believes it can play a major individual role at the UNSC. Like it or not, the United States remains the sole global superpower. All Indonesia can do is actively contribute to the enhancement of multilateral cooperation in countering U.S. domination.

If President Yudhoyono hopes to play a part in settling the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula and conflicts in the Middle East, he must realize that the best thing Indonesia can do is help the major players in the regions, rather than trying to take individual initiatives.

Constructive cooperation, not confrontation, provides the best chance for Indonesia to help in the creation of a better world. This can only be achieved if Indonesia sets a good example for the world, especially developing countries.

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