RI could become effective Mideast peace broker: Envoy

Lilian Budianto ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 07/07/2008 10:31 AM  |  World

Indonesia is in a better position to become a peace broker in the Middle East than any other country in the world, Pakistan's ambassador to Indonesia said.

Speaking at the 22nd forum of "Ambassadors Talking to Indonesian Editors and Business Executives", Maj. Gen. (ret) Ali Baz said almost all parties in the Middle East conflict had developed a mutual emotional relationship with Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, thus putting it in a unique position to act as peace broker.

"Indonesia has good relations with almost every Middle East country and no direct enmity with Israel," he said.

"In comparison with Pakistan, which has a more strategic location, Indonesia can be more successful in helping securing peace."

The forum was co-hosted by the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists (CAJ) and the Information and Communications Ministry.

Ambassador Ali Baz, who speaks fluent Bahasa Indonesia, said the Indonesian government could establish its own peace team by inviting other like-minded countries, such as Malaysia, Pakistan and Turkey, to work on the peace process.

Indonesia and South Africa will co-host an international conference to discuss capacity building programs for Palestine from July 14 through 15 in Jakarta.

The ambassador added Indonesia could start its own lobbying efforts with Middle East parties and not necessarily have to launch such initiatives in cooperation with the United States, the major peace broker in the region.

A staunch ally of Israel, the U.S. has been widely criticized by majority Muslim countries for its peace efforts, which detractors say benefit only Israel.

When President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono hosted Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in 2007, talks on measures the two countries and any other Islamic countries could take to address the conflicts in the Middle East, especially in Palestine and Iraq, were high on the agenda.

Indonesia has played major roles in several Middle East disputes, the latest being to mediate the release last year of South Korean hostages held by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Ali Baz said with Indonesia and Pakistan as the world's two largest Muslim nations, any Middle East peace initiative would be served well with the participation of both countries.

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.