G-20, G-8 summits too valuable to miss: FM

Dwi Atmanta, The Jakarta Post, Rome | Fri, 03/06/2009 2:31 PM   

The upcoming G-20 and G-8 summits in London and Sardinia Island, Italy, are too valuable for Indonesia to miss, even though the republic will be holding national elections, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said recently. 

The legislative and presidential elections should not bring Indonesia's efforts to articulate national interests and help solve global problems to a standstill in international forums, Hassan said on Thursday. 

"The world keeps turning and the momentum goes our way. We should make a full use of opportunities while we take care of our national agenda," Hassan said. 

As a member state, Indonesia has been invited to the key G-20 meeting scheduled for April 2, a week before the legislative elections. 

On Wednesday, this year's G-8 host Italy officially extended an invitation to Indonesia to participate in the meeting of leaders of the world's largest economies from July 8-10, which coincides with the presidential election. 

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will likely to seek a second mandate in the presidential election on July 8 and his Democratic Party is gunning for 20 percent of the House of Representatives seats in the legislative elections on April 9.  

Hassan said the invitations constituted recognition by the international community, of Indonesia's role in helping tackle global issues. 

"The G-20 has given us a respectable place. Why should we sacrifice this opportunity for the sake of our domestic agenda?" he said. 

Hassan admits that pursuing national interests in the two prominent international meetings amid the hectic political agenda at home was a tough challenge for Indonesian diplomacy. 

However, he said, "we will lose out on a golden opportunity if we focus solely on domestic affairs". 

Hassan also believes the national elections would not affect the performance of the Yudhoyono administration, despite the fact that half of the 34-strong cabinet represent eight political parties that will contest the legislative elections. 

"There are cabinet members who must meet their respective party constituents during the election campaigns, but they are committed to conducting their state duties," said Hassan, who is among nonpartisan ministers in the current "rainbow" cabinet. 

Political tension looks to heighten as Vice President Jusuf Kalla recently stated his bid to contest the presidential election as the candidate of the Golkar Party which he chairs. 

Some observers have suggested cabinet members representing political parties resign in order to help the present government focus on unfinished jobs before the end of its term on Oct. 20.