RI ready to send troops to Libya

Jakarta Post, 30 March 2011 

Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, is prepared to contribute to ending the civil war in Libya, calling on the United Nations to lead efforts to enforce a cease-fire and send a peacekeeping mission to the country.

Echoing earlier statements by Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Tuesday that Indonesia was ready to send troops as part of a UN peacekeeping force to Libya.

He criticized the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1973 that paved the way for the enforcement of a no-fly zone, saying more civilians became victims of air attacks and urged the UN and international communities to prioritize a peaceful political solution to ending the conflict between Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi and the opposition in the North African country.

“There are two elements of UN resolution 1973 that are still sidelined: The need for an immediate establishment of a cease-fire, and seeking an immediate peaceful political settlement to put an end to the conflict in Libya,” Yudhoyono said at a press conference Tuesday.

Under the resolution, allied forces led by France, the UK and the US bombarded Qaddafi strongholds, leading to condemnation by the international community who said many civilians were killed during the attacks.

Yudhoyono said all efforts aimed at settling the crisis in Libya should be focused on the two elements mandated by the UN resolution.

The President also reminded the international community of the need to set up peacekeeping missions to monitor any cease-fire implemented in Libya.

“Indonesia proposes that a peacekeeping mission could be implemented in Libya similar to the proposal by Indonesia for a cease-fire between Lebanon and Israel. We are ready to contribute to such a UN peacekeeping mission,” he said.

Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Marty, State Secretary Sudi Silalahi and Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam accompanied the President to the stage to deliver his statement at the Presidential Office.

Yudhoyono’s statements come amid increasing calls by local activists for the Indonesian government to condemn the attacks in Libya, which they said resulted in many civilian deaths.

Senior Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician Hidayat Nur Wahid said the attacks on Libya were motivated by interests to revive European economies, with the US and its allies aiming to control Libya’s extensive oil deposits.

Yudhoyono’s proposal, however, quickly drew criticism from security experts, who said conditions in Libya called for peacemaking efforts before a peacekeeping process could be put in place.

“There have to be peacemakers to enforce peace in Libya. In a military word, it’s called land invasion,” University of Indonesia security expert Andi Widjajanto said.

When peace was established, it would be time for antagonists in Libya to reconcile, whether through democratic elections or power sharing, he added.

Yudhoyono said he had sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General on Feb. 24 as conflict between supporters and opponents of Qaddafi continued to worsen.

“I called on the UN and the international community to take immediate actions to end the conflict in Libya and protect the safety of civilians,” he said.

The President said the international media had so far focused on the issue of no-fly zones and all necessary methods to protect civilians.

At the press conference, Yudhoyono also expressed concern over deepening conflicts in other countries in North Africa and the Middle East.

“The developments in North Africa and the Middle East are worrying. The violence continues with civilians falling victims,” he said.

“As Indonesia sees it, such conditions must end. The international community, including those countries engaged in the conflicts, should take real and new actions [to resolve the problems].”

Yudhoyono added that the UN should take the initiative and involve regional organizations such as the African Union and Arab League to solve the problems. (the jakarta post)