NO TRUTH IN INDONESIA ABANDONING ASEAN - THAI FM

By D. Arul Rajoo

PHUKET, July 21 (Bernama) -- Indonesia, one of the founding members of
Asean, has no plans to abandon or reduce its role in the regional grouping over
fears that other member countries were not doing enough to enhance the grouping,
especially in terms of human rights.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said it was not true that Indonesia was
very disappointed with the final outcome of the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the
proposed Asean Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights.

"Indonesia has been very much a pillar of Asean cooperation. There was no
disappointment on their part...in fact, we got positive contribution from the
Indonesian delegation..everyone was happy at the end of the meeting," he told a
press conference after chairing the Asean Ministerial Meeting here.

Kasit said, although Indonesia's proposal to include protection in the TOR
was not achieved, foreign ministers agreed to draft a political declaration on
the matter for approval at the 15th Asean Summit in Phuket in October, as a
compromise.

"The leadership of Indonesia is very important...Indonesia is more than
happy to lead Asean into the future. There is no doubt about their cooperation
and the leading role of Indonesia," he said when asked if Indonesia had outgrown
Asean and paid more attention to its role in G20.

Asean Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said Indonesian Foreign Minister
Hassan Wirajuda had even promised to expand the country's contribution to the
Jakarta-based Asean Secretariat, including sponsoring more meetings there.

"Internal discontenment is common in any phase of progress. We should turn
that into a positive energy," he said.

The TOR, which was adopted by the foreign ministers Monday, was severely
criticised by civil society groups and seen as being "toothless" without
provisions on protection of human rights, including sanction on abuses or
country visit.

Kasit, who was clearly upset with the range of questions posed during press
conferences in the past few days, that condemned the commission, said everyone
should give a chance for the body to be set up and progress accordingly.

"Why (do) you believe it would't be effective? All the countries have
committed to the Asean Charter, especially on human rights body and they have
obligations to do so.

"It's time for us to do more together, to resolve our own problems within
our own family, without the international community telling us what to do. We
are committed to our own destiny," he added.
-- BERNAMA