Indonesia Strongly Deplores Unilateral Action

Indonesia Strongly Deplores Unilateral Action Against Iraq

The Government and the people of Indonesia strongly deplores the unilateral action taken by the Government of the United States of America and its allies that have decided to go to war against Iraq. Indonesia deeply regrets that the multilateral process through the UN Security Council has been sidelined. Indonesia is of the view that the use of military force against Iraq based on the unilateral decision constitutes an act of aggression which is in contravention to international law. This unilateral military action has also threatened the world order.

War will not only fail to resolve the problem, but it will also cause humanitarian tragedy. The Government and the people of Indonesia are gravely concerned over the innocent civilian casualties and the immense material losses that may result from this military action. The war will bring negative economic and political impacts to the Middle East region and throughout the world, including Indonesia.

The Indonesian Government, through its diplomatic efforts both bilaterally and through international fora such as ASEAN, the Non Aligned Movement, the Organization of Islamic Conference, and the United Nations, has consistently stressed the need to find a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis. These efforts have even been strengthened by peace missions of the Indonesian inter-faith leaders to several countries as well as by the repeated call for peace from all segments of the Indonesian nation. The Government has earlier on established "the National Team to Address the Impact of the Iraqi Crisis" in order to take precautionary measures for the protection of Indonesian nationals in the Middle East as well as to anticipate negative impacts towards Indonesia.

The Government of Indonesia demands the United Nations Security Council, which has the responsibility to maintain international peace and security, to immediately convene in an emergency meeting in order to urge the Government of the United States of America and its allies to immediately stop the war and for the Government of the United States of America and its allies to be responsible to overcome the humanitarian aspects resulting from the conflict situation. Should the efforts by the UN Security Council come to a dead-lock, Indonesia will urge the UN General Assembly to convene in an emergency session under the framework of the "uniting for peace" resolution.

The Government of Indonesia emphasizes the need to avoid the further destabilization of the Middle East region. The Indonesian Government also stresses that any solution to the question of Iraq should respect the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Iraq.

The Government of Indonesia calls on all Indonesian nationals within the vicinity of Iraq to remain calm and report to the nearest Indonesian Missions for any necessary assistance and protection.

The Government of Indonesia fully shares the outpouring of anti-war calls and sympathy from the Indonesian people towards the plight of the Iraqi people. Such sympathy should be expressed in a peaceful and democratic manner as well as in a manner that should not undermine public order and our national stability --- and by maintaining our national unity and integrity.

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