WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 27) — The Fall 2009 edition of Global Asia, the East Asia Foundation's journal on international affairs, has just been released, highlighting the multi-article cover story "In the National Interest: Economics, Security and Foreign Affairs in Southeast Asia."The collection of articles is the culmination of a collaborative research project between the East-West Center in Washington and Global Asia that explores the relationship between economics, security, and multilateralism in respect to the conduct of foreign policy in five key Southeast Asian nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The research project aspires to answer a simple but important question: How much do a country's economic and security relations with other nations—in the form of trade, capital and labor flows, and participation in multilateral settings—tell us about what to expect about its foreign policy? East-West Center in Washington Director Satu Limaye noted, "To this end, we partnered with Global Asia to compile a comprehensive data set for each of the five Southeast Asian countries and, in this context, asked leading scholars from these countries to provide an empirically grounded insider's view of their country's national interests and foreign policy."
The experts who contributed to the Global Asia feature are:
Dr. Dewi Fortuna Anwar, a Research Professor for Intermestic Affairs at the Indonesian Institute of the Sciences in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Dr. Renato Cruz De Castro, a Professor at the International Studies Department of De La Salle University and holder of the Dr. Aurelio Calderon Professorial Chair of Philippine-American Relations.
Dr. Tang Siew Mun, a Senior Lecturer at the School of History, Politics and Strategic Studies at the University Kebangsaan Malaysia and concurrently a researcher at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies, Malaysia.
Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, an Associate Professor and the Director of the Institute of Security and International Studies in the faculty of political science at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.
Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Political Counselor at the Embassy of Vietnam to the United States. He was formerly Deputy Director General of the Diplomacy Academy of Vietnam.
The East-West Center (www.EastWestCenter.org) is an education and research organization established by the U.S. Congress in 1960 to strengthen relations and understanding among the peoples and nations of Asia, the Pacific, and the United States. Based in Honolulu, Hawaii and Washington D.C., the Center contributes to a peaceful, prosperous, and just Asia Pacific community by serving as a vigorous hub for cooperative research, education, and dialogue on critical issues of common concern to the Asia Pacific region and the United States.
Global Asia (www.globalasia.org) is a journal of international affairs published by the East Asia Foundation. It aims to provide a compelling, serious, and responsible forum for distinguished thinkers, policymakers, political leaders and business people to debate the most important issues in Asia today. The East Asia Foundation (www.keaf.org) was established as a non-profit organization officially registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea in January 2005. The foundation strives to promote peace and prosperity in East Asia by providing an open and creative forum for human and knowledge networking, the exchange of ideas and policy on regional cooperation and integration, and the formation of a viable regional identity.
Source
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
ASEAN risks losing clout in East Asia
Top Asian leaders will gather in Thailand from Oct. 23-25 to attend the 15th ASEAN Summit to chart a new course amid tough challenges in the fast-changing regional political landscape.
The summit will see the gathering of 16 nations - six of them are members of the G20 - under the umbrella of ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3 and the East Asian Summit (EAS). Altogether, the grouping has a combined GDP of US$6.8 trillion with a population of more than 2 billion people.
Wielding such immense clout, the summit promises to be of great importance, but critics warn things could turn out otherwise as ASEAN leaders face challenges to maintain their leverage over the success of the EAS.
The EAS is among the major successes of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Under the leadership of ASEAN, historical rivals China, Japan and South Korea agreed to sit together under the umbrella of ASEAN+3. India, Australia, and New Zealand later joined the ASEAN+3 to form the EAS.
However, the EAS could lose its significance, with Japan already floating its initiative of a similar grouping it calls the East Asian Community.
"It is clear that Japan would like to become the chief of its own grouping instead of counting on ASEAN countries for a meeting to see its biggest regional competitor China," said Bantarto Bandoro, chairman of the Indonesian Institute of Strategic Studies.
Although details of the new community remain sketchy since the idea was first brought up at the UN General Assembly in New York last month, the concept is said to be inspired by the example of the European Union, which would allow better economic integration.
"The power shift to Asia *from the West* should bring the chance for Japan to become a leader in this region," Bantarto said.
"The new community is floated to check with China, to prevent it from competing with China in terms of becoming Asian leaders."
Critics say East Asian giants China, Japan and South Korea may sooner or later leave the EAS as they can already convene among themselves without the leadership of ASEAN, which is also reeling from domestic problems.
The first trilateral summit of the East Asian giants was held last December in Japan, with the second having just ended earlier this month in Beijing.
At the second trilateral summit, the three countries pledged their commitment to working closely toward regional economic integration, aiming eventually for a bloc similar to the European Union.
During a recent visit by the Japanese foreign minister, then Indonesian foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda said ASEAN+3 would remain an important pillar for Asian integration and its presence should not be threatened by the new concept floated by the Japanese government.
"Indonesia and Japan always share similar views about the future of this region and we have always wanted to cooperate closely, and so we agree to consult with each other about how cooperation and integration can work better in the future."
The Japanese government has said it would involve Indonesia in the establishment of the East Asian Community, considering that Indonesia has played an important role in the 42-year-old ASEAN.
"Indonesia is an important partner for Japan in efforts to achieve integration in East Asia," said Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada.
"Indonesia plays an important role in ASEAN. Japan would like to have a dialogue with Indonesia about the establishment of the East Asian Community."
As the biggest ASEAN member state, Indonesia has reaped criticism for its inability to take the lead on the many problems plaguing the organization, from Myanmar's poor human rights record, to members' border disputes and the political woes in Thailand and Malaysia.
Thailand, the current ASEAN chair, is sliding into further domestic political turmoil, sending bad signals to the grouping's dialogue partners about its capability to lead. The EAS meeting in the resort town of Phuket in Thailand earlier this year was forced to be canceled after antigovernment protesters stormed into hotels and meeting avenues. State leaders scheduled to attend the EAS had to be evacuated.
"The presence of the East Asian Community would be problematic for us as once it is established, it would diminish the role of ASEAN," said Dewi Fortuna Anwar, a senior researcher with the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI).
"Japan, under the new government, might want to exercise its regional leadership role because it has been lagging behind China and South Korea, who have also floated their ideas of another regional grouping."
"We still have to learn more about the new concept, as there has been no consensus about it yet... But to my opinion, it's better to strengthen the existing groupings than forming a new one."
Source
The summit will see the gathering of 16 nations - six of them are members of the G20 - under the umbrella of ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3 and the East Asian Summit (EAS). Altogether, the grouping has a combined GDP of US$6.8 trillion with a population of more than 2 billion people.
Wielding such immense clout, the summit promises to be of great importance, but critics warn things could turn out otherwise as ASEAN leaders face challenges to maintain their leverage over the success of the EAS.
The EAS is among the major successes of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Under the leadership of ASEAN, historical rivals China, Japan and South Korea agreed to sit together under the umbrella of ASEAN+3. India, Australia, and New Zealand later joined the ASEAN+3 to form the EAS.
However, the EAS could lose its significance, with Japan already floating its initiative of a similar grouping it calls the East Asian Community.
"It is clear that Japan would like to become the chief of its own grouping instead of counting on ASEAN countries for a meeting to see its biggest regional competitor China," said Bantarto Bandoro, chairman of the Indonesian Institute of Strategic Studies.
Although details of the new community remain sketchy since the idea was first brought up at the UN General Assembly in New York last month, the concept is said to be inspired by the example of the European Union, which would allow better economic integration.
"The power shift to Asia *from the West* should bring the chance for Japan to become a leader in this region," Bantarto said.
"The new community is floated to check with China, to prevent it from competing with China in terms of becoming Asian leaders."
Critics say East Asian giants China, Japan and South Korea may sooner or later leave the EAS as they can already convene among themselves without the leadership of ASEAN, which is also reeling from domestic problems.
The first trilateral summit of the East Asian giants was held last December in Japan, with the second having just ended earlier this month in Beijing.
At the second trilateral summit, the three countries pledged their commitment to working closely toward regional economic integration, aiming eventually for a bloc similar to the European Union.
During a recent visit by the Japanese foreign minister, then Indonesian foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda said ASEAN+3 would remain an important pillar for Asian integration and its presence should not be threatened by the new concept floated by the Japanese government.
"Indonesia and Japan always share similar views about the future of this region and we have always wanted to cooperate closely, and so we agree to consult with each other about how cooperation and integration can work better in the future."
The Japanese government has said it would involve Indonesia in the establishment of the East Asian Community, considering that Indonesia has played an important role in the 42-year-old ASEAN.
"Indonesia is an important partner for Japan in efforts to achieve integration in East Asia," said Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada.
"Indonesia plays an important role in ASEAN. Japan would like to have a dialogue with Indonesia about the establishment of the East Asian Community."
As the biggest ASEAN member state, Indonesia has reaped criticism for its inability to take the lead on the many problems plaguing the organization, from Myanmar's poor human rights record, to members' border disputes and the political woes in Thailand and Malaysia.
Thailand, the current ASEAN chair, is sliding into further domestic political turmoil, sending bad signals to the grouping's dialogue partners about its capability to lead. The EAS meeting in the resort town of Phuket in Thailand earlier this year was forced to be canceled after antigovernment protesters stormed into hotels and meeting avenues. State leaders scheduled to attend the EAS had to be evacuated.
"The presence of the East Asian Community would be problematic for us as once it is established, it would diminish the role of ASEAN," said Dewi Fortuna Anwar, a senior researcher with the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI).
"Japan, under the new government, might want to exercise its regional leadership role because it has been lagging behind China and South Korea, who have also floated their ideas of another regional grouping."
"We still have to learn more about the new concept, as there has been no consensus about it yet... But to my opinion, it's better to strengthen the existing groupings than forming a new one."
Source
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Milan Imbang Leonardo Salahkan Dewi Fortuna
http://www.tempointeraktif.com/hg/sepakbola/2009/09/13/brk,20090913-197695,id.html
Performa AC Milan di bawah pelatih Leonardo kembali mendapat tekanan. Tampil di kandang Livorno, Stadion Armando Pichi, anak-anak San Siro hanya mampu mendulang hasil imbang 0-0 dalam lanjutan Serie A Liga Italia.
Melawan Livorno, Leonardo memutuskan menampiilkan striker barunya Klaas Jan Huntelaar yang menggantikan Marco Borriello yang cedera. Namun, Rossoneri yang datang dengan kekalahan memalukan 0-4 pada laga Derby Dela Madoninna atas Inter Milan, gagal menciptakan peluang-peluang emas di mana rapatnya pertahanan tim kandang membuat frustrasi anak-anak Silvio Berluconi.
Melihat strateginya pada babak pertama tidak berjalan, Leondaro memutuskan memasukkan Ronaldinho mengantikan Andrea Pirlo. Namun, datangnya mantanpilar Barcelona itu belum merubah keadaan. Bahkan, terilhat frustrasi arsitek tim menggantikan Huntelaar dengan Filippo Inzaghi.
Sebaliknya, Livorno yang ejaan dua nama pemainnya salah di nomor punggungnya, terus mengancam pertahanan Milan dan berpeluang memetik kemenangan.
Leonardo mengaku demi fortuna belum memihak timnya dan menalahkan penyelesaian akhir dari anak asuhnya yang buruk. “Kami seharusnya bisa menang mudah. Pada babak pertama kami mampu terus menyerang. Pada babak kedua kami menciptakan banyak peluang emas,” keluh Leonardo.
Pernyataan Leonardo dibantah Presiden Livorno Aldo Spinelli. “Performa kami sempurna dan setiap pemain tampil bagus kali ini. Saya memuji performa Antonio Candreva yang tampil padu dengan Francesco Tavano dan Cristiano Lucarelli,” tegas Spinelli.
Milan akan mempersiapkan tampil di fase grup C Liga Champions melawan Olympique Marseille pada laga tandang, Selasa (15/9).
Meski imbang posisi Milan naik peringkat 8 dengan nilai 4. Livorno harus puas bertengger di peringkat 14, naik dua peringkat dengan nilai 2.
Source
Performa AC Milan di bawah pelatih Leonardo kembali mendapat tekanan. Tampil di kandang Livorno, Stadion Armando Pichi, anak-anak San Siro hanya mampu mendulang hasil imbang 0-0 dalam lanjutan Serie A Liga Italia.
Melawan Livorno, Leonardo memutuskan menampiilkan striker barunya Klaas Jan Huntelaar yang menggantikan Marco Borriello yang cedera. Namun, Rossoneri yang datang dengan kekalahan memalukan 0-4 pada laga Derby Dela Madoninna atas Inter Milan, gagal menciptakan peluang-peluang emas di mana rapatnya pertahanan tim kandang membuat frustrasi anak-anak Silvio Berluconi.
Melihat strateginya pada babak pertama tidak berjalan, Leondaro memutuskan memasukkan Ronaldinho mengantikan Andrea Pirlo. Namun, datangnya mantanpilar Barcelona itu belum merubah keadaan. Bahkan, terilhat frustrasi arsitek tim menggantikan Huntelaar dengan Filippo Inzaghi.
Sebaliknya, Livorno yang ejaan dua nama pemainnya salah di nomor punggungnya, terus mengancam pertahanan Milan dan berpeluang memetik kemenangan.
Leonardo mengaku demi fortuna belum memihak timnya dan menalahkan penyelesaian akhir dari anak asuhnya yang buruk. “Kami seharusnya bisa menang mudah. Pada babak pertama kami mampu terus menyerang. Pada babak kedua kami menciptakan banyak peluang emas,” keluh Leonardo.
Pernyataan Leonardo dibantah Presiden Livorno Aldo Spinelli. “Performa kami sempurna dan setiap pemain tampil bagus kali ini. Saya memuji performa Antonio Candreva yang tampil padu dengan Francesco Tavano dan Cristiano Lucarelli,” tegas Spinelli.
Milan akan mempersiapkan tampil di fase grup C Liga Champions melawan Olympique Marseille pada laga tandang, Selasa (15/9).
Meski imbang posisi Milan naik peringkat 8 dengan nilai 4. Livorno harus puas bertengger di peringkat 14, naik dua peringkat dengan nilai 2.
Source
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
DEWI FORTUNA MEMBELA JUARA DUNIA
PELATIH timnas Italia,Marcello Lippi, sangat senang berhasil mengantongi tiga poin atas Georgia. Meski begitu, dia tak sungkan mengakui timnya saat itu tengah dinaungi keberuntungan.
Italia memang butuh dua gol bunuh diri kapten Georgia, Kakha Kaladze untuk bisa menang 2-0, (5/9). Menurut Lippi dua gol berbau keberuntungan itu cukup adil melihat banyaknya peluang yang diciptakan timnya.
"Kami tak bisa berbuat banyak di babak pertama, atpi di babak ke dua kami lebih baik hingga mendapat dua keberuntungan," ucap Lippi. "Kami terus menerus mengancam gawang mereka. Meski mereka mengawali laga dengan baik, tapi kami mampu mengendalikannya."
Menyikapi dua gol Kaladze, Lippi mengaku hal itu sangat. Apalagi dua gol itu tak lepas dari tekanan gencar yang dilakukan timnya sepanjang babak ke dua.
"Kami tetaplah yang menciptakan gol. Ketika kita menciptakan ancaman ke kubu lawan dan membuat mereka melakukan kesalahan, itu tetap gol dari kami," pungkasnya.
Kini sang juara bertahan masih menduduki puncak klasemen Grup 7 kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2010 zona Eropa, dengan 17 poin dari tujuh laga. Mereka berjarak satu angka dari Irlandia yang memainkan satu laga lenbih banyak.
Source
Italia memang butuh dua gol bunuh diri kapten Georgia, Kakha Kaladze untuk bisa menang 2-0, (5/9). Menurut Lippi dua gol berbau keberuntungan itu cukup adil melihat banyaknya peluang yang diciptakan timnya.
"Kami tak bisa berbuat banyak di babak pertama, atpi di babak ke dua kami lebih baik hingga mendapat dua keberuntungan," ucap Lippi. "Kami terus menerus mengancam gawang mereka. Meski mereka mengawali laga dengan baik, tapi kami mampu mengendalikannya."
Menyikapi dua gol Kaladze, Lippi mengaku hal itu sangat. Apalagi dua gol itu tak lepas dari tekanan gencar yang dilakukan timnya sepanjang babak ke dua.
"Kami tetaplah yang menciptakan gol. Ketika kita menciptakan ancaman ke kubu lawan dan membuat mereka melakukan kesalahan, itu tetap gol dari kami," pungkasnya.
Kini sang juara bertahan masih menduduki puncak klasemen Grup 7 kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2010 zona Eropa, dengan 17 poin dari tujuh laga. Mereka berjarak satu angka dari Irlandia yang memainkan satu laga lenbih banyak.
Source
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Indonesia wary of novice Democrats' protectionist slant
There will be no dramatic changes in Japan's foreign policy toward Indonesia and other ASEAN countries after the historic victory of the opposition, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), in Sunday's elections, analysts said Monday.
But they also said the DPJ's socialist roots and political need to take populist actions had inevitably raised apprehension as to whether the country's newly elected government would be capable of avoiding protectionism that would affect its trade relations with other countries.
"Relations between Indonesia and Japan have been very strong. After all, there are many Japanese companies already operating in the region. Japan will benefit more from a free-trade agreement," Syamsul Hadi, a lecturer in interna-tional relations at the University of Indonesia, told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
Indonesia and Japan celebrated a golden jubilee in diplomatic ties last year with the visit of Japanese Prince Fumihito Akishino to Jakarta, followed by the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), under which the two nations agreed to remove tariff barriers to boost bilateral trade.
The Indonesian government said Monday it welcomed Sunday's democratic and peaceful electoral process in Japan.
Indonesia respects the choice of the Japanese people and congratulated opposition leader Yukio Hatoyama and his party for winning the election, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Teuku Faizasyah said.
Japan is an important partner for Indonesia, he said, adding that Jakarta was determined to develop bilateral relations with Tokyo.
Dewi Fortuna Anwar of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) said it was difficult to foresee any possible fundamental change in Tokyo's approach to the United States, China and the ASEAN bloc, but there was an indication the crisis-hit Japan would prioritize improving its domestic industry to revive its economy.
"What matters is the way the government deals with the economic downturn," she said.
"Japan is our major investor and a major market for our exports. Are they going to shift their investment destinations? Are they going to be more closed?"
Japan remains the biggest investor in Indonesia, although Japanese investors' interests have gradually declined in the past few years mainly because of China's economic growth and Indonesia's unconducive investment climate.
The global downturn has also affected bilateral trade, which plunged by 43 percent in the first five months of this year.
Hatoyama, who is set to replace disgraced Liberal Democratic Party's leader Taro Aso, has criticized the LDP's market-friendly reforms, which he said worsened the social and income gaps and have been blamed for sinking Japan deeper into recession.
Hadi said it was likely Japan would focus its foreign policy on bolstering relations with China, South Korea and Russia, while trying to become more independent in its dealings with the United States.
"There are people who were formerly members of the socialist party inside the DPJ. I assume that Japan's liberal platform in its political economy will fade slightly," he said.
On the brighter side, Dewi said, Japan under Hatoyama could do more in boosting the political-security sector in the region, by paying more attention to democracy and human rights issues, something the LDP had apparently considered not worth fighting for, for decades.
Source
But they also said the DPJ's socialist roots and political need to take populist actions had inevitably raised apprehension as to whether the country's newly elected government would be capable of avoiding protectionism that would affect its trade relations with other countries.
"Relations between Indonesia and Japan have been very strong. After all, there are many Japanese companies already operating in the region. Japan will benefit more from a free-trade agreement," Syamsul Hadi, a lecturer in interna-tional relations at the University of Indonesia, told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
Indonesia and Japan celebrated a golden jubilee in diplomatic ties last year with the visit of Japanese Prince Fumihito Akishino to Jakarta, followed by the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), under which the two nations agreed to remove tariff barriers to boost bilateral trade.
The Indonesian government said Monday it welcomed Sunday's democratic and peaceful electoral process in Japan.
Indonesia respects the choice of the Japanese people and congratulated opposition leader Yukio Hatoyama and his party for winning the election, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Teuku Faizasyah said.
Japan is an important partner for Indonesia, he said, adding that Jakarta was determined to develop bilateral relations with Tokyo.
Dewi Fortuna Anwar of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) said it was difficult to foresee any possible fundamental change in Tokyo's approach to the United States, China and the ASEAN bloc, but there was an indication the crisis-hit Japan would prioritize improving its domestic industry to revive its economy.
"What matters is the way the government deals with the economic downturn," she said.
"Japan is our major investor and a major market for our exports. Are they going to shift their investment destinations? Are they going to be more closed?"
Japan remains the biggest investor in Indonesia, although Japanese investors' interests have gradually declined in the past few years mainly because of China's economic growth and Indonesia's unconducive investment climate.
The global downturn has also affected bilateral trade, which plunged by 43 percent in the first five months of this year.
Hatoyama, who is set to replace disgraced Liberal Democratic Party's leader Taro Aso, has criticized the LDP's market-friendly reforms, which he said worsened the social and income gaps and have been blamed for sinking Japan deeper into recession.
Hadi said it was likely Japan would focus its foreign policy on bolstering relations with China, South Korea and Russia, while trying to become more independent in its dealings with the United States.
"There are people who were formerly members of the socialist party inside the DPJ. I assume that Japan's liberal platform in its political economy will fade slightly," he said.
On the brighter side, Dewi said, Japan under Hatoyama could do more in boosting the political-security sector in the region, by paying more attention to democracy and human rights issues, something the LDP had apparently considered not worth fighting for, for decades.
Source
Monday, September 28, 2009
RI supports Myanmar’s nuclear energy program
Indonesia will support Myanmar’s nuclear energy program for civilian use, said a top official on Friday, amid controversy concerning the junta’s poor human rights records and its nuclear weapon ambition.
Rezlan Ishar Jenie, Foreign Ministry’s Director General for Multilateral Affairs, said Myanmar, as a member of the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT), had the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, regardless of how the country has enforced its human rights.
“Our concern about [Myanmar’s] human rights records is separate from wishing to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” he said.
“We oppose nuclear weapons but not nuclear energy for peaceful use. The most important thing is the control from the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency],” said Rezlan during a memorial lecture and award presentation at the Indonesia’s Institute of Science (LIPI).
The Memorial lecture to commemorate LIPI first chairman, Sarwono Prawirohadjo, was delivered by Dewi Fortuna Anwar, senior researcher of the institute and also member of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board member on Disarmament Matters (2008-2009).
Indonesia is a loud critic of Myanmar, which harshly suppressed the political dissent. The Myanmar military regime, who refused to acknowledge the 1990 landslide victory of main opposition party, has jailed thousands of political prisoners and dissenters, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Myanmar’s court has recently handed out another 18 months of house arrest to Suu Kyi for violating her house arrest terms in a trial the global community called a “sham”. Yangon has also recently drawn international concerns over reports from Australia that Myanmar will develop nuclear weapons with the help of North Korea.
Indian authorities have intercepted a North Korean ship over suspicion that it contained radioactive material for Myanmar. Myanmar has said they aimed to build a nuclear power plant for electricity but the Sydney Morning Herald reported recently that North Korea is helping Myanmar build a secret nuclear reactor and plutonium extraction plan.
In response to the controversy of Myanmar’s purpose of importing nuclear materials, Rezlan said: “Every member of NPT has the right to develop nuclear energy for civilian use under the control of IAEA.”
He added the interception of shipment of nuclear materials from North Korea to Myanmar was conducted based on the decision of UN Security Council that ruled members to halt the transfer of all nuclear material to or from North Korea, and was not aimed at banning Yangon from developing nuclear energy.
“We have no problem if Myanmar wants to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purpose with the help of other countries,” said Rezlan, nodding in agreement when asked whether Jakarta agreed with Myanmar getting help from China in developing its nuclear technology.
Dewi, who delivered the speech on disarmament of weapons of mass destruction, said although the reports over Myanmar’s nuclear weapon strive had yet to be verified, it had sparked worries over the future of the region’s nuclear-weapons-free-zone deal signed under the ASEAN Bangkok Treaty.
“Myanmar is allowed to develop nuclear technology for peaceful use. However it has to be noted that there is not much difference between nuclear technology for peaceful use and for warfare. Uranium material can be converted into nuclear weapon through enrichment. That’s why the control over the use is very important,” she said.
Source
Rezlan Ishar Jenie, Foreign Ministry’s Director General for Multilateral Affairs, said Myanmar, as a member of the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT), had the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, regardless of how the country has enforced its human rights.
“Our concern about [Myanmar’s] human rights records is separate from wishing to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” he said.
“We oppose nuclear weapons but not nuclear energy for peaceful use. The most important thing is the control from the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency],” said Rezlan during a memorial lecture and award presentation at the Indonesia’s Institute of Science (LIPI).
The Memorial lecture to commemorate LIPI first chairman, Sarwono Prawirohadjo, was delivered by Dewi Fortuna Anwar, senior researcher of the institute and also member of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board member on Disarmament Matters (2008-2009).
Indonesia is a loud critic of Myanmar, which harshly suppressed the political dissent. The Myanmar military regime, who refused to acknowledge the 1990 landslide victory of main opposition party, has jailed thousands of political prisoners and dissenters, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Myanmar’s court has recently handed out another 18 months of house arrest to Suu Kyi for violating her house arrest terms in a trial the global community called a “sham”. Yangon has also recently drawn international concerns over reports from Australia that Myanmar will develop nuclear weapons with the help of North Korea.
Indian authorities have intercepted a North Korean ship over suspicion that it contained radioactive material for Myanmar. Myanmar has said they aimed to build a nuclear power plant for electricity but the Sydney Morning Herald reported recently that North Korea is helping Myanmar build a secret nuclear reactor and plutonium extraction plan.
In response to the controversy of Myanmar’s purpose of importing nuclear materials, Rezlan said: “Every member of NPT has the right to develop nuclear energy for civilian use under the control of IAEA.”
He added the interception of shipment of nuclear materials from North Korea to Myanmar was conducted based on the decision of UN Security Council that ruled members to halt the transfer of all nuclear material to or from North Korea, and was not aimed at banning Yangon from developing nuclear energy.
“We have no problem if Myanmar wants to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purpose with the help of other countries,” said Rezlan, nodding in agreement when asked whether Jakarta agreed with Myanmar getting help from China in developing its nuclear technology.
Dewi, who delivered the speech on disarmament of weapons of mass destruction, said although the reports over Myanmar’s nuclear weapon strive had yet to be verified, it had sparked worries over the future of the region’s nuclear-weapons-free-zone deal signed under the ASEAN Bangkok Treaty.
“Myanmar is allowed to develop nuclear technology for peaceful use. However it has to be noted that there is not much difference between nuclear technology for peaceful use and for warfare. Uranium material can be converted into nuclear weapon through enrichment. That’s why the control over the use is very important,” she said.
Source
Monday, July 20, 2009
Fifty foreign officials expected to observe poll
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government has invited 50 senior government officials from 27 countries to take part in the Indonesia Election Visitor Program activities on July 6-9.
The program is scheduled to be opened by Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda and is implemented in cooperation with the Institute for Peace and Democracy (IPD), according to the foreign ministry on Friday.
The activities would include a workshop on "Indonesian Presidential Elections: An Assessment on Democracy."
During the workshop participants would discuss political reform and development in Indonesia, election regulations and local political dynamics in the country.
The speakers at the workshop include Rizal Sukma, Dewi Fortuna Anwar, Bachtiar Effendy, Denny Indrayana, Ramlan Surbakti, Saiful Mujani, Riza Primahendra (KID), I Ketut Putra Erawan (IPD) and Paul Rowland (IPD).
In cooperation with the Indonesian Community for Democracy (KID) the participants would also observe the implementation of the direct presidential elections in several polling centers in Tangerang, Yogyakarta, Malang, Denpasar, Makassar, and Banyuasin, Palembang.
The program is one of the actions to follow up recommendations from the Bali Democracy Forum held on December 10-11, 2008.
The Bali Democracy Forum has recommended popularizing and sharing of political development and modernization in Asia through experience exchange among countries in the region.
Indonesia is in a good position to share its experience with countries in the region and gets experience from other countries and the presidential elections on July 8 would provide the right opportunity for them.
The countries that would participate in the program include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Iraq, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Timor Leste, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
Source
The program is scheduled to be opened by Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda and is implemented in cooperation with the Institute for Peace and Democracy (IPD), according to the foreign ministry on Friday.
The activities would include a workshop on "Indonesian Presidential Elections: An Assessment on Democracy."
During the workshop participants would discuss political reform and development in Indonesia, election regulations and local political dynamics in the country.
The speakers at the workshop include Rizal Sukma, Dewi Fortuna Anwar, Bachtiar Effendy, Denny Indrayana, Ramlan Surbakti, Saiful Mujani, Riza Primahendra (KID), I Ketut Putra Erawan (IPD) and Paul Rowland (IPD).
In cooperation with the Indonesian Community for Democracy (KID) the participants would also observe the implementation of the direct presidential elections in several polling centers in Tangerang, Yogyakarta, Malang, Denpasar, Makassar, and Banyuasin, Palembang.
The program is one of the actions to follow up recommendations from the Bali Democracy Forum held on December 10-11, 2008.
The Bali Democracy Forum has recommended popularizing and sharing of political development and modernization in Asia through experience exchange among countries in the region.
Indonesia is in a good position to share its experience with countries in the region and gets experience from other countries and the presidential elections on July 8 would provide the right opportunity for them.
The countries that would participate in the program include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Iraq, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Timor Leste, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
Source
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