Statement by
Ambassador Adiyatwidi Adiwoso Asmady
Deputy Permanent Representative of the
Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations
on the Prevention of Armed Conflict

New York. September 7, 2006

Mr. President,

We thank you for convening this meeting on such a crucial issue. My delegation is hopeful that our discourse today, will contribute in furthering our collective efforts against the occurrence of the scourge of armed conflicts. While the overall trend in the number of armed conflicts worldwide may have receded, the global upheavals and uncertainty are on the rise. It is the best of times for some, but it is the worst of times for others.

The recent tragedy of Lebanon, and the agonising delay in the Security Council at the expense of innocent men, women, and children, on reaching an agreement for ending the hostilities, once more reminds us of the imperative to strengthen the global norms that can bring about a real culture of respect for human life, mutual coexistence, and peace.

The Secretary General speaks for many when he says that there is an unacceptable gap between rhetoric and reality. In view of the various deadly conflicts in the recent history, and the increased tensions between different parts of the world, it is critical that we come together, and try to engage each other with mutual respect and equality.

Indonesia believes that multilateralism should be at the heart of all our efforts in the prevention of conflicts at the intra-state level. Mutually beneficial and international partnerships can have a significant influence on the peaceful resolution of difficult political and socio-economic problems. The UN Charter, and the principles of the international law, should be our guides in this regard. Hence, the United Nations, our chief multilateral forum, should be the main platform to address this issue. The role of the office of UN needs to be strengthened, including with effective and timely interventions, to seek peaceful ways out of confrontational situations.

It is the prime responsibility of the national governments to adopt the strategies, and plans that they see as most effective, in ensuring that peace prevails in their countries. The UN, and the other relevant international entities, should support in the capacity building of particularly those countries, which are vulnerable to conflicts.

Mr. President,

My delegation broadly welcomes the report of the Secretary General on the prevention of armed conflict. We are pleased that the third and very important sphere of action, namely, Systemic prevention, has been introduced, after the concepts of Structural and Operational preventions that were taken up in the 2001 report on the same topic. We believe that by focusing the actions at the Systemic level where all critical elements are addressed, the international community can be more effective in both formulating and implementing solutions that bring about lasting peace.

Indeed concerted systemic measures such as those to eradicate the illicit trade in small arms, to tackle environmental degradation, and to foster corporate social responsibility, particularly in those industries that have been known to fuel conflict, can help to promote world peace greatly. We regard progress in the implementation of the MDGs, particularly goal eight, to be paramount in the elimination of systemic inequities that for many have continued to be the major hurdle for their climbing out of the poverty. Avenues such as trade based on a fair and evenhanded international trading regime can lead to sustainable income generation cycles, thereby improving the socio-economic conditions of the impoverished. The best way to prevent conflict is to take away the negative elements that may act as the incubator for conflict.

Mr. President,

The concept of 'responsibility to protect' should be approached very carefully, taking into account the sovereignty and equality of all states.

My delegation opposes the threatening of peoples, groups or countries by others, and sees that as a counterproductive measure. While we realise that the sanctions may be the requirement in some exceptional circumstances, we think that extreme care should be exercised in that regard. We also believe that aid should not be tied. Effective partnerships for development are those, which are based on mutual understanding, trust, respect, and accountability of all parties.

Indonesia, being the member of the Peace Building Commission, would like to work with the others actively, to try to fill the lacuna in the international peace building system. We need to undertake cohesive and integrated peace building strategies that address the conflict issues in their entirety.

In conclusion, we would like to reiterate our complete support to all those, who endeavour to undertake concrete steps based on international principles of justice, dialogue, and cooperation, in resolving the conflicts in a wholesome manner with a priority to remove the root causes of grievances.

I thank you, Mr. President.