The Hindu : International : Jakarta warns against forcing U.N. reforms

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 07, 2005

International

International

Jakarta warns against forcing U.N. reforms

P. S. Suryanarayana

Initiative on Council expansion may cause divisions if carried in haste

SINGAPORE: Maintaining that "we should ensure the right type of reform for the entire United Nations," Indonesia has cautioned the Group of Four — India, Japan, Germany and Brazil — against causing "divisions" by pushing for new permanent seats in the Security Council "in haste."

Marty Natalegawa, Foreign Ministry spokesman, told The Hindu over telephone that "many countries are yet to be convinced that... the G-4 initiative at this time... is the way to go." About the G-4's move to expand the permanent bloc within the Security Council by holding in abeyance the right of veto for new members for a specified period, he said Indonesia would want the group "not to force this issue almost at any cost."

Asked about India's credentials for permanent membership, the spokesman said Jakarta "cannot express views" on such specifics before a "general debate" in the U.N. on the reform issue. He, however, emphasised, "We are very comfortable with India." Drawing attention to the "closeness" between Jakarta and New Delhi, he said the two often saw "eye to eye" on bilateral issues and also within the U.N. and the Non-Aligned Movement. Quite apart from sharing the "same perspective," he said India's "size and diplomatic significance" gave it "natural" visibility on the scene.

On Indonesia's apparent reticence to throw its hat into the ring for permanent membership in the U.N., he said this perhaps had something to do with "our diplomatic culture." Jakarta had not foreclosed the option of presenting itself as a "potential" candidate, but the overall issues were "not to be self-absorbed" and to push for "comprehensive" reforms.

Several countries, notably Australia, at one stage or the other suggested that Indonesia, the most populous Muslim State, be considered for permanent membership.

Basic position

Setting out Indonesia's basic position on U.N. reforms, the spokesman said: "We are keen to ensure a sense of common ownership" of the global organisation through consensus, and not controversy. Even if the G-4 were to succeed in its ongoing efforts, which were being fine-tuned from time to time, it could still mean that many countries were not on the same wavelength as the group. It would not be enough if the reforms were "right" for one individual country or another. Asked whether Indonesia would think outside the box and call for abolition of the veto rights of the permanent members, Mr. Natalegawa said: "The veto is not in keeping with the principle of sovereign equality." at the very least."

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