ASEAN LOSES GREAT INSPIRATOR WITH DEMISE OF ALI ALATAS

JAKARTA, Dec 12 (Bernama) - Asean Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan, in
expressing his condolence on the demise of former Indonesian foreign minister
Ali Alatas, described the man as a towering figure in the region, the Third
World and non-aligned countries.

He said Ali's contributions to the Southeast-Asian region, in particular,
through the Asean process, had been immeasurable.

"For me, since we served together as foreign ministers in the late 1990's,
every conversation with Bapak Ali had always turned into an intellectual
discourse on our collective achievements in the region and our aspirations for
our people," Surin said in a statement Friday.

"On the passing of Bapak Ali, we have not only lost a dear friend but a
diplomatic giant. He was a great inspiration to us all. His permanent absence
will be a big void in our regional diplomatic landscape," he added.

Among Ali's many and great achievements was his contribution as one of the
10 members of the Asean Eminent Persons Group that was tasked to re-examine
Asean and propose new ideas for the drafting of the Asean Charter, which will
come into force on Dec 15, 2008.

Ali was a great son and a true patriot of Indonesia, Surin said.

-- BERNAMA