Briefing

by

H.E. DR. Makarim Wibisono

Permanent Representative of Indonesia

On The Latest Developments in Indonesia

Before Member States and Observer States of the Organization of the Islamic Conference

at the United Nations Headquarters, New York,

 On Thursday, 27 July 2000

Bismillahi rahmanir rahiim.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamu alaikum warakhmatullahi wabarakatuh.

At the outset, I should like to express my sincere congratulations to you on your assumption to the Chairmanship of the Islamic Group and we are confident of your skilled stewardship. I should also like to thank H.E. the Ambassador of Burkina Faso for his leadership during his tenure as Chairman. Similarly, I wish to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to Ambassador Lamani, for convening this meeting at very short notice upon my request. Let me also express my earnest gratitude to all of you for your presence here today despite your busy schedules. As I have indicated in my letter requesting for this urgent meeting, I wish to avail of this opportunity, to appraise you of the latest developments in Indonesia and share with you the position of my Government and measures that it has taken on issues of concern to us.

I consider the holding of this briefing as a matter of urgency in view of the fact that certain quarters of the international community would like to see the involvement of the UN in the Indonesian province of the Moluccas. Should this attempt succeed, then member states of the OIC may also face similar situations in the future. It is therefore imperative for us, the OIC, to be firm in our stance towards such maneuverings.

As to the problem in the Moluccas, media reports often depict the conflict as an inter-religious one between the Muslims and Christians. And in Western countries, there is often a tendency to sympathize with Christian communities which are seen as under threat from Muslims.  In the Moluccas, however, the conflict is more of an intercine communal one driven by local economic disparities and instigated by certain elements bent on destabilizing our country. In this regard, the Indonesian Government is determined to address the problem, as it is entirely an internal problem, for, since 1945, the Moluccas has been an integral and indisputable part of the Republic of Indonesia.

Consequently, it would be unacceptable for any entity to interfere or mediate under any pretext whatsoever, including humanitarian intervention and we therefore categorically reject any form of foreign intervention since this would infringe on the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of Indonesia.

On its part, the Indonesian Government continues to take measures in order to put an end to the clashes by, among others, declaring a state of civil emergency in the province with the adoption of Presidential Decree no. 88. This broadens the scope of authority of the military and local officials to search for illegal weapons, to detain perpetrators of the violence and to impose a curfew. During the past two weeks, the relevant authorities have taken the necessary measures to implement their respective mandates. These include, the dispatch of two battalions to the Moluccas while other new battalions with specific and technical skills are on standby for rotation. Such efficient actions have so far succeeded in preventing the violence from spreading. Moreover, it should be noted that the authorities have confiscated numerous weapons found illegally in the possession of certain individuals. Other actions include, a meticulous search of the houses and buildings in the province. It is pertinent to note in this context that members of these battalions are equipped with unique skills, especially by being able to carry out negotiations to reach a peaceful outcome, rather than resorting to the use of physical force.

As another measure to cope with the problems in Moluccas, on Monday, 26 June 2000, the Commander of the Pattimura Military Command, Brigadier-General Max Tameaela was replaced by Brigadier-General I Made Yasa, a Hindu from Bali.

On 27 June 2000, the Governor of the Province of the Moluccas, as the authority in charge of the state of civil emergency in the Moluccas, declared that all conflicting parties should cease their exchange of fire and hostilities. Curfew was imposed on Tuesday, 27 June 2000 from 22.00 until 06.00. Public gatherings (of more than 10 persons and with no clear objective) are banned and people had to surrender their weapons by 30 June 2000.

It is the policy of the Government of Indonesia to deal firmly and resolutely in restoring normal conditions. Understandably, the complexity of the situation requires its own evolution over a matter of time. Therefore, external intervention is unnecessary but we do not rule out the extension of humanitarian assistance by the international community after the situation is brought under control.

May I also draw the attention of member States to the joint Communiqué issued by ASEAN, two days ago, in which the Foreign Ministers, inter alia reiterated their continuing support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of Indonesia, which includes the provinces of Aceh and Irian Jaya. Furthermore, the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN commended the swift measures taken by the Indonesian authorities to restore law and order in the provinces. Also, they reaffirmed that the stability and prosperity of Indonesia would positively contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity of the Asian region as a whole. Similar support was expressed by the Foreign Ministers of China, Japan and South Korea in a Joint Statement of ASEAN + 3 in Support of the Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity and National Unity of Indonesia that inter alia   commended the efforts and measures taken by the Indonesian Government to restore peace in these provinces and encouraged the international community to support the Indonesian Government in its humanitarian relief efforts to the people in need.  

We would greatly value your understanding and support to the efforts of the Indonesian Government, in dealing with the situation, as it deems fit and appropriate, in accordance with its national laws and regulations.

Wassalamu alaikum warakhmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Thank you.