Indonesia to help empower Afghan govt, people

Thursday, 27 January 2011

The Jakarta Post

Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa left Tuesday for London to attend an international meeting on the political deadlock in Afghanistan.

Indonesia said it would share its views with Afghanistan government officials and local civil society groups about democratic governance.

Observers and lawmakers, however, urged Indonesia to play a more active role as the largest Muslim population worldwide, including initiating the Afghan government and Western countries to form dialogue with the Taliban.

"One form of assistance we will offer is capacity building in areas of democracy," Marty said Monday.

"We will also explore the possibility of contributing to the reconciliation of Afghanistan, but in the meantime we will focus on providing technical assistance. The Afghan government expects our aid."

Indonesia will participate at the Afghan conference, co-hosted by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in London on Thursday.

Marty will join more than 60 other foreign ministers at the conference to discuss efforts to help the Afghanistan government find a solution to the prolonged conflict for the next two years under the new terms of the Karzai presidency.

Matthew Rous, British Embassy deputy head of mission in Jakarta, said Indonesia would participate at the Afghan conference for the first time after it began in 2006 in London.

"As well as security, there are two other equally essential elements of *Karzai's* second administration. These are supporting economic development to give Afghans a stake in the success of their country; and consolidating improvement in democratic, transparent governance," Rous said.

"Indonesia has vast experience in both areas and so it's entirely fitting that Indonesia has the opportunity to contribute at the conference."

Meanwhile, experts and legislators said Indonesia could play a more active diplomatic role as Jakarta had the leverage.

Indonesia is home to the largest Muslim population and the third largest democracy worldwide.

It has been touted as an example where Islam is compatible with democracy.

"Indonesia can exercise its diplomatic muscle with Pakistan and Iran to halt the flow of weapons to Afghanistan," said Fahmi Salsabila of the Indonesian Society for Middle East Studies at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences.

Al Muzzammil Yusuf, lawmaker from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), said the Indonesian government should take a different approach to the US in the Afghan conflict.

"The US government takes a military approach, resulting in deadly backlashes that claim civilians' lives. Indonesia can form dialogue with Taliban militants and the Afghan government for a domestic reconciliation," he said.