RI has no reason to delay recognition of Kosovo: Analysts

Abdul Khalik , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Wed, 02/20/2008 1:18 PM | Headlines

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has no reason to delay Indonesia's recognition of Kosovo's independence as the nation has fulfilled all requirements to become a free state, analysts say.

International law expert Hikmahanto Juwana said Tuesday that Kosovo had already proven it had a clear territory, people, an effective government and international recognition to form an independent state in line with the international law.

"Even with the recognition of only one state, Kosovo can form an independent state, as happened to Indonesia," Hikmahanto said, referring to Egypt's recognition of Indonesia's independence back in 1945.

The United States, Australia and most of the European Union's 27 countries are among those that have accepted Kosovo's independence from Serbia. Russia and China, which hold veto rights at the UN Security Council, oppose the independence declaration.

Hikmahanto, a University of Indonesia professor, dismissed fears that Indonesia's recognition would encourage separatist movements within the country to continue their own fights.

"Serbia and Indonesia are totally different. Serbia perpetrated genocide on Kosovo while alleged human rights violations in Papua remain rumors. In fact, Indonesia's recognition can signal our strong commitment to human rights," he said.

Hikmahanto urged the government to act as quickly as possible because the Muslim community here had questioned the delay and might become angry if the country took any longer to come to a decision.

Like Kosovo, Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim country.

Separately, international relations expert Makmur Keliat asked the government to make sure the recognition would not give separatist elements room to move.

"I think the government's wait-and-see style reflects its difficulties in making firm decisions. I think the government should discuss it intensively with lawmakers to avoid the issue from being used as political ammunition by certain parties," he told the Post.

Yudhoyono said Monday that Indonesia delayed the decision on whether to recognize or reject Kosovo's independence until the government could settle differences at home and be sure of the international voice.

Ikrar Nusa Bhakti of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, however, warned the government against supporting Kosovo's independence, but throwing its weight behind Serbia.

"Our recognition must have some impacts on our territorial integrity as we have much in common with Serbia. The President should not hesitate to quickly support Serbia in this regard," he told The Jakarta Post.

He maintained that a nation state should not be based on ethnicity or religion, pointing out that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence would set precedent of necessity to form a nation state based on ethnicity and religion.

"Papua, for instance, has more than 50 different ethnicities, and Indonesia has more than 300 different ethnicities. Can you imagine what would happen to the country if all of these ethnic groups want independence?" he said.

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