RI urged to be more active in settling Palestinian issue

Eliswan Azly

Following the arrival of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Jakarta on Sunday for a courtesy call on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday, appeals were made by some observers in Indonesia, most of whom have a high concern over the fate of the Palestinians in their struggle for independence from Israeli occupation.

Concrete Indonesian support is however expected by Palestine at international fora in conjunction with Indonesian chairmanship of the United Nations Security Council.<>

Many observers in the county feel that Indonesia has not done enough for the sake of Palestine and therefore this world largest archipelagic country is expected to play an active role in the Palestinian struggle for independence.

Hamdan Basyar, a political analyst of Middle East Affairs of the Indonesian Center for Science in a phone interview with Antara here on Sunday, said that Indonesia should be able to make use of its strategic position as chairman of the United Nations Security Council by playing an active role in the settlement of the conflict in the Middle East, especially in Palestine.

"It is time for Indonesia to show a commitment of playing an active role in the international fora as a mediator in seeking a solution to the conflict in the Middle East," he said.

"As a predominantly moslem country in the world, Indonesia`s position has a special meaning for Palestine in their effort to become an independent country, especially as a (non-permanent) member of the UNSC, Indonesia has the right to talk more in international fora," he said.

As matter of fact, Indonesia has played an important role in trying to bring about peace in Gulf region. But the concentration on this end has been is diverted by the numerous domestic problems confronting Indonesia.

"However, this is a good chance for the government under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to convey his voice in the UN to find a solution," he said.

Indonesia`s role in implementing its free and active foreign policy had been proven in preserving world peace, as it indicated at the time when Iran was unveiling its nuclear issue.

This world largest archipelagic country is also active in playing a role in securing peace by sending troops under a request of the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Conference.

However, a dream to solve this Palestinian national issue is inseparable from the interest of other countries in the Gulf region. "A commitment of the Gulf countries in thoroughly understanding the Palestinian struggle for independence is also important, because each Mid East country is also facing a rift and has different views about Palestine," Hamdan said.

Sharing the idea with Hamdan is Broto Wardoyon, an observer of Middle East Affairs of the University of Indonesia, who said that Indonesia`s role in trying to settle the Palestinian peace issue should be further improved.

"So far, Indonesia has only been giving moral support, without concrete action in solving the Palestine peace problem," Broto said.

Indonesia, which is only consistent in giving moral support to Palestine and opposing Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory in many occasions and international fora, has yet to make any significant contribution to the settlement of the Palestinian issue.

The basic problem of Indonesia`s policy in the peace process lies in the dialogues between the Islamic public and the secular government. Without solving the conflict of domestic interest, all efforts would be in vain.

He stressed that Indonesia could build a bridge for a dialogue between Hamas and Fatah in Palestine. However Indonesia, as the world`s largest archipelagic country, could take into account Arab aspirations from Eqypt, Saudi Arabia, Yordan and Syria, because they have strong links with this issue.

An in-depth study on this matter was certainly required in considering Indonesian involvement. The Hamas-Fatah conflict posed a combination of political and cultural issues, and therefore its penetration in solving the conflict should also take into account the needs of both sides.

"The modes of settlement used in the GAM-Indonesia peace process, in settling the internal conflicts in Cambodia, and in dealing with the Moro tribe in the Philippines, can be combined in solving the Palestine peace problem," said Broto, who was a student at Ben-Gurion University in Negev, Israel.

Three problems

In the meantime, Dr Sofyan Siregar, a lecturer at the Islamic University in Rotterdam in his e-mail answer said the settlement of peace in Palestine should consider three matters. First is Indonesian support to Palestine and the process of peace stated as an anti-colonial manifestation in addition to Islamic public aspirations for a kind of brotherhood solidarity in the support.

This kind of domestic polemic has caused the government find difficulty in formulating a strategy of engagement. An involved conflict means having a connection with the sides and Indonesian public has yet to be ready to accept this reality in the sense that connection without diplomatic relations is a fundamental matter in Indonesian involvement.

The political pressure is so strong, causing whoever are in power in Indonesia will be reluctant to take a risk," Sofyan said.

The secondly, the problem will make it difficult for Indonesia to pursue a strong stance in the peace process whether Indonesia is wishing to act as mediator or facilitator or mediator group. A concrete role to be played should be formulated before taking further steps.

What is often misunderstood in being a mediator is how to be impartial. "Each player in peace process has its own interest. If Indonesia`s interest is defined as a manifestation of Palestinian state is not wrong."

Thirdly, according to him, the formulation of the role has to do with Indonesian resources and whatever Indonesia has in its bid to settle the conflict. What often comes up to the surface is only a factor of the biggest Moslem population and its close relations with the West.

Eventually this matter should be compared with the financial capability (given the peace process which is not a cheap business), diplomatic capability or capability to influence other international actors.

Based on these three points, we will be able to formulate the best strategy in Indonesia`s involvement in solving the conflict, Sofyan said.

(Adopted from the state news agency)