[Kabar-indonesia] 5 reports: RI should think twice about Lebanon peacekeeping [+OIC; Protest]

[JoyoNews at aol.com]

3 JP reports (+AFP): 

- RI should think twice about peacekeeping 
  in Lebanon 

- update: Thousands rally against Israeli 
  attacks 

- OIC urged to take concrete action 
  in Mideast conflict 

- Indonesian Muslims protest Israel 
  offensive, Bashir seeks "jihad" force

- Israel cannot be given 'licence' to 
  destroy Lebanon: Malaysian FM

The Jakarta Post
Monday, August 7, 2006

RI should think twice about peacekeeping in Lebanon 

Meidyatama Suryodiningrat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

While delegates at the United Nations squabbled over the possible courses of 
action for Lebanon, military vehicles at an Army base in East Jakarta were 
already being painted white with "UN" emblazed on their sides.

Indonesia, together with the international community, should spare no 
diplomatic efforts to end the violence in Lebanon -- including setting up an 
international peace contingent. 

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has affirmed the country's enthusiasm to 
send peacekeepers. For him, it is a dear subject having had his career 
bolstered after commanding Indonesia's peacekeeping contingent to Bosnia in the 
mid-1990s. 

When there is such a conformity of national opinion, unbelievers are often 
ostracized. But no matter how unpopular the exercise may be, it is certainly 
worth looking at the potential pitfalls before we embed our troops into a Middle 
East quagmire. 

Then United Nations Secretary-General Javier P‚rez de Cu‚llar in a speech in 
1989 described UN peacekeepers as "soldiers without enemies". 

"Their duty is to remain above the conflict," he said. 

However, it goes without saying that Indonesia in this particular case is not 
neutral. 

It is rightfully consistent in its support for the Palestinian cause. 
Indonesia refuses to recognize the Jewish state and regards it as a flagrant entity 
with little respect for international institutions and the rights of 
Palestinians. 

Hence by any measure Indonesia is not above the fray, politically or 
emotionally. 

By sending troops to Lebanon, Indonesian policy makers would place themselves 
in a delicate predicament caught between the strict guidelines of any 
peacekeeping force -- keeping conflicting sides apart and aiding relief operations -- 
and the prevailing domestic perception that troops will be sent to intervene 
against Israel. 

It is easier when the mission is maintaining a truce already in existence. 
But not so in Lebanon where the conflict involves a non-state entity. 

Will Indonesian troops be asked to maintain strict neutrality, only using 
force when attacked, or will they be obliged to protect and even retaliate when 
civilians are targeted? 

Either circumstances are complicated. 

If it is the former and an incident occurs resulting in civilian casualties 
the political fallout would be to fuel radicalization at home against a 
government regarded as inept in protecting a Muslim community. 

It is a completely different situation to that faced by Indonesian Blue 
Helmets stationed in Sinai, Congo or Cambodia where there is no political baggage 
clouding the operation. 

Despite the presence of a Muslim community, neither is the situation a 
parallel to Bosnia where there was global unity, including the support of the United 
States, for the need for international intervention. 

We have no doubt that Indonesian peacekeepers, if needed, would honorably 
uphold their mandate in protecting Lebanese safe zones against aggressive forces. 

But would they have the same zeal delving into Lebanese communities if they 
were tasked with neutralizing Hizbollah insurgents? How would such an action be 
perceived at home? 

Peacekeeping operations succeed only when they have the full consent of the 
conflicting parties involved. Even if the UN agrees to a resolution, its 
strength is limited at best. 

Injecting our soldiers into a field where there is no pre-existing peace 
raises the threat of directly entangling ourselves in an endless morass. 

One prerequisite that Indonesia must seek before dispatching troops is a 
clarity of purpose and the setting of an achievable mandate by the UN. 

Hasty mandates issued under pressure without any framework for a settlement 
only results in "mission creep". 

Most importantly an "end point" leading to an exit strategy must be 
designated, especially in a conflict that involves non-state entities and where the 
traditional rules no longer apply. 

Rethinking our inclusion in a peacekeeping force for Lebanon does not imply a 
change in our foreign-policy stance, nor does it preclude us from entry. 

It recognizes that while saving lives is paramount, ultimately the political 
aspects of the mission may decide on its success. 

----------------------------------

The Jakarta Post
Monday, August 7, 2006

Thousands rally against Israeli attacks 

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Leaders of major religions came together Sunday in a united stance against 
Israeli attacks on Lebanon, with thousands bringing traffic to a standstill on 
main thoroughfares in Jakarta.

The rally and most of the ones held concurrently in Yogyakarta, Surabaya, 
Makassar and Medan were organized by the Muslim-based Prosperous Justice Party 
(PKS). 

In Jakarta, an estimated tens of thousands of protesters -- much smaller than 
the "One Million Followers" theme of organizers -- marched from Hotel 
Indonesia traffic circle to the U.S. Embassy. They also stopped in front of the UN 
representative office on Jl. Thamrin, where protest leaders led shouts of 
criticism at the international body for failing to bring an end to the Israeli 
bombardment. 

Protesters began to mass at the traffic circle at noon, with more people 
joining the protest as it got underway, their swelling number swarming the street 
and blocking traffic. 

Service on the Blok M-Kota route of the TransJakarta Busway was temporarily 
rerouted. 

Supporters of hard-line groups and PKS have predominated in previous rallies 
against Tel Aviv but Sunday's rally also included Catholics, Christians and 
Buddhists. 

They yelled anti-Israeli and American slogans as they carried banners 
appealing for peace, with messages including "Give Peace a Chance" and "Save 
Children, Say No to War". 

People's Consultative Assembly Speaker and PKS leader Hidayat Nur Wahid told 
the crowd in front of the UN building that Israel must halt its aggression. He 
also demanded that leaders of the Jewish station should be tried for war 
crimes in the International Court of Justice. 

Hidayat, along with Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chief Din Syamsuddin and 
popular cleric Abdullah Gymnastiar, signed a petition demanding Washington stop 
its support for Israel and practicing a double standard in the Middle East 
conflict. 

MUI deputy chairman Amidhan also said the world must make Israel take 
responsibility for its actions against civilians in Lebanon and Palestine. 

"Israel should be taken before the International Court of Justice because it 
has killed many children and women," he said. 

U.S Ambassador B. Lynn Pascoe refused to meet with representatives of the 
protesters, although Din said the U.S. Embassy had been informed there would 
be a protest. 

"We will note this as an uncooperative attitude," he said. 

--------------------------------------------------

The Jakarta Post
Monday, August 7, 2006

OIC urged to take concrete action in Mideast conflict 

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Though the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) issued a statement 
condemning Israel for its attacks on Lebanon at its meeting in Kuala Lumpur, it 
has to take concrete action if it is to have an impact on conflict resolution 
in the Middle East, say local experts on the Middle East. 

"The OIC has not been highly regarded by the international community because 
they only suggest, propose or condemn, but do not take any concrete action. 
There is nothing new about the result of the Kuala Lumpur meeting," noted expert 
on the Middle East from the Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI), Riza 
Sihbudi, told The Jakarta Post on Sunday. 

The organization should have come up with a more concrete and meaningful 
course of action, given the leverage it has with the U.S. and Israel, to effect a 
cease-fire, Riza said. 

"One of the most effective actions would be to reduce oil production or 
exports to the U.S. and its allies or if possible, embark on an oil embargo as Arab 
countries did in the 1970s. This, I believe, could force the U.S. to pressure 
Israel to stop its offensive," he said. 

Seventeen leaders from the 57-member organization met in Kuala Lumpur last 
week for an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis in the Middle East. They 
issued a statement condemning Israel, and urged the United Nations to issue a 
resolution for an immediate cease-fire. 

Riza, however, acknowledged that differences existed among the Arab 
countries, paralyzed the organization's capacity to act. 

Several Arab countries, such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, are close allies of 
the U.S. and do not want to take any move against the U.S. policy on the 
conflict, while Syria and Iran are considered enemies of the U.S. 

Iran, for instance, has an unresolved conflict with the U.S. over its nuclear 
program. 

Broto Wardoyo, another expert on the region from the University of Indonesia, 
concurred, saying that the OIC was unable to have an impact on the Middle 
East process because it lacked a single voice. 

"Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which have a Sunni majority, for instance, want to 
see Hizbollah defeated because of fear of Shiite influence, while Iran will 
support the group," he told the Post. 

Broto said that many also feared that Iran's involvement in the meeting would 
be counter-productive because the meeting would broaden the conflict to brand 
the U.S. as an enemy. 

"Forget about pointing the finger of blame. The most important thing is to 
stop the war. That's why, the best option for Indonesia is through the UN. What 
the UN members should do now is to continue push the U.S. (to pressure Israel) 
for a immediate cease-fire. I believe if the majority of the UN members 
continue to push the U.S., it will heed the demand," he said. 

Aside from a solution through the UN, Broto proposed that moderate Muslim 
countries, which the U.S. considers its allies, such as Indonesia, Turkey and 
Kuwait, send a special envoy to meet with U.S. President Bush to persuade him to 
pressure Israel to effect an immediate cease-fire. 

"In fact, the key players in a possible peaceful resolution of the Middle 
East conflict are moderate Muslim countries, such as Indonesia, because the U.S. 
will listen to them. Of course, Muslim countries must not blame only Israel 
but both sides," he said. 

A high-ranking official at the Foreign Ministry, who spoke on the condition 
of anonymity, agreed that sending an OIC special envoy to talk directly with 
Bush, would be effective. 

"As the world's most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia plus other moderate 
OIC members will surely be listened to by the U.S.. It is too bad that the OIC 
did not decide to send a special envoy to talk with President Bush," he told 
the Post. 

---------------------------------------

Indonesian Muslims protest Israel offensive, Bashir seeks "jihad" force

JAKARTA, August 6 (AFP) -- Thousands of Indonesians held street
rallies Sunday to condemn Israel's offensive in the Middle East as
hardline cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, previously jailed for terrorism,
called for a "jihad" force to battle the Jewish state.

In the capital of the world's most populous Muslim nation, more than
3,000 people protested outside the UN mission over its failure to halt
the violence.

"So far there are no signs that the United Nations is acting justly as
an international institution...We press the Indonesian government to
mobilize solidarity among peace-loving nations in the world to
pressure the United Nations to halt the Israeli aggression," Muslim
leader Dien Syamsuddin told the crowd.

"If the United Nations does nothing because it is influenced by the
superpower, America, we call on the government of Indonesia to
initiate a vote of non-confidence against the United Nations," added
Syamsuddin, who is a deputy chairman of Muhammadiyah, Indonesia's
second largest Islamic movement.

The demonstrators had gathered earlier for an inter-religious rally
and later marched to the US embassy. The heads of various religions --
Islam, Roman Catholicism, Protestants and Buddhists -- led the
protest.

"Give a Chance to Peace" and Save Children, No War," some of the banners read.

The crowd dubbed Israel "the aggressor" and the United States "terrorist".

"Israel should be taken to the International Court of Justice because
it has killed a lot of children and women," said a deputy chairman of
the Indonesian Council of Ulema, Amidhan.

One group displayed a poster reading "Condemn the sadistical and
inhuman actions of Israel, USA and the mayor of west Jakarta." They
were victims of evictions ordered by the mayor.

Bashir, speaking at mass prayers in support of Lebanon and Palestine,
called on the government to let Indonesians join the fight against
Israel.

Bashir told some 1,000 people in the Central Java town of Pekalongan
that Jakarta should try to mobilize a mujahedin force from member
countries of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.

"If it cannot...at least open the door for citizens who wants to
engage in jihad (holy war) there," he said.

Bashir was sentenced to 30 months for his role in a "sinister
conspiracy" that led to the 2002 Bali bombings, which left 202 people
dead. He was released from prison in June.

On Saturday a group called the Asian Muslim Youth Movement said it was
prepared to send hardliners to attack Jewish interests in countries
that back Israel.

In Indonesia's second largest city Surabaya, some 1,500 Muslims held a
protest march, ElShinta radio reported. In the city of Yogyakarta, it
said, some 3,000 people joined a prootest against Israel and the
United States.

A similar protest involving hundreds of people took place in Medan.

--------------------------------------

Israel cannot be given 'licence' to destroy Lebanon, says Malaysian FM

KUALA LUMPUR, August 6 (AFP) -- Malaysia's foreign minister said
Sunday that Israel cannot be given a "licence" to destroy Lebanon,
adding that the United States and Britain must be fair in seeking an
end to the crisis.

"What is needed now is for the United Nations Security Council to
quickly arrive at a decision on the ceasefire to stop Israeli
atrocities," Syed Hamid Albar was quoted as saying by the Bernama news
agency.

The state agency quoted him as saying Israel cannot be given a
"licence" to destroy another country on the excuse that it was to
ensure its security.

Mainly Muslim Malaysia, which does not have diplomatic relations with
the Jewish state, Friday rejected a call by an Israeli official for
dialogue to resolve the Middle East crisis.

Syed Hamid said the United States and Britain should play a fair and
responsible role to bring peace to the region and suport a UN
resolution for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

"What can be seen now is that Israel is backed by the United States
and its close ally, Britain.

"These two world powers in fact should take the lead to bring the
conflict to an end at the Security Council. I hope they will support
the latest draft resolution calling for hostilities to cease that was
presented to the Security Council," he said.

Syed Hamid warned that any further delay in securing a ceasefire would
cause more deaths both in Lebanon and Israel.

More than 990 people, mostly civilians, have been killed and over
3,320 others wounded in Lebanon since Israel launched a massive
offensive on its northern neighbor after Hezbollah captured two
soldiers on July 12.

Syed Hamid also said more countries in the Organisation of the Islamic
Conference (OIC) which his country chairs were prepared to commit
their troops for a peacekeeping mission in addition to Malaysia,
Indonesia and Brunei.

He did not name the countries.

Malaysia hosted an emergency gathering on Thursday of leaders from the
OIC who condemned what they called Israeli aggression in Lebanon and
called for an immediate ceasefire.

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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