War the last resort for RI, says SBY

Tony Hotland ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 08/20/2008 10:24 AM  |  World

PICTURE OF HEROES: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, accompanied by Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda, unveils Tuesday a painting of members of the Committee for the Preparation for Indonesian Independence (BPUPKI) after attending a foreign policy breakfast. (JP/R. Berto)

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono rehashed Tuesday that going to war remained "the very last resort" in the wake of a conflict as a pillar of Indonesia's foreign policy that upholds dialogue.

"War is the last resort when other measures have been completely exhausted and our sovereignty is at stake," he said addressing the Foreign Ministry's foreign policy breakfast to mark the ministry's 63rd anniversary.

Speaking about Indonesia's role in facing external challenges, Yudhoyono criticized the recurring calls to severe diplomatic ties whenever Jakarta stumbled into disputes with another country, saying such calls were irrational.

"I understand the uproar when people relate the issues with our dignity, but we can't go with emotional responses because we have a responsibility to our history, our nation and our future. We must prioritize rational choice, which will be based on our capacity and ability" he said.

He cited as an example Jakarta's ongoing dispute with Malaysia over the possession of the oil-rich Ambalat maritime area in the Sulawesi Sea, going further to say he would have been the one in the front had Jakarta decided to go to war.

"I was very close to the border when I went there to inspect. I used to joke I was so close that had I fallen down in the water I would've landed in Malaysia's territory," he said.

Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur deployed military vessels to the block when the dispute was at its height in 2005.

Yudhoyono was also honest enough to add that a war with neighboring Malaysia or Singapore, for instance, would not be an option given the costs it would incur and the fact that Jakarta was trailing in combat skills, weaponry and infrastructure.

The remarks came in question of the country's position on recent global problems, including the U.S.-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the blaring Russia-Georgia armed spat.

Reviewing accomplishments under his rule, Yudhoyono said the country was enjoying an ever-growing positive image overseas.

"Our democracy, better human rights situation, moderate national image, active role in the region, better legal framework are all noted by the international community and thus have raised our standing," he said.

Yudhoyono failed, however, to address the common concern of how to translate the country's so-called better global standing into better economic opportunities at the grassroots level.

He rehashed the cliches on that subject -- bringing up impacts of globalization and calls to improve the investment climate -- but stopped short of fresh, concrete ideas.

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said his office was now the country's most professional institution after having gone through a series of internal administrative and financial reforms since he took office.

He also vaunted gender equality at his office, saying a third of the echelon one (highest level) officials were women and that women could constitute half of the diplomats in the coming years.

"Fifty percent of our new recruits are women. They may appear soft on the outside, but I know they're tough negotiators," Hassan said to an applause by women in the audience.

At present, the ministry has some 3,300 employees with a ratio of 2:1 diplomats to administrative staff.

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