INDONESIA-IRAN COOPERATION IN NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY

By Ananta K. Wibawa

A new scene marked Indonesia-Iran relation that was the understanding achievement to start cooperation in nuclear technology for humanity interests.

As it was released by ANTARA, Friday (1/10/2010) that in a meeting between the President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and the Chairman of the Commission I of The Parliament of The Islamic Republic of Iran, Alaedin Broujerdi, who was also Presiden Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s special envoy, they welcome about a possibility of Indonesia to alternate it’s new energy sources like nuclear technology, similar as ever been mentioned by Vice President Budiono. In related to that, as it was delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marty Natalegawa, after the meeting, President SBY asserted Indonesia’s attitude to support the right of every nation in nuclear test utilize for peaceful purposes, including Iran.


Previously known that some controversy regarding Iran’s effort to develop its nuclear technology has extended, especially to Israel and numerous western nations led by US. A controversy triggered by a suspicion that Iran will develop its nuclear technology to produce the weapon of mass destruction (WMD) that shall be used against Israel and those who oppose to Iran.

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa

has voiced Indonesia's support for Iran's peaceful nuclear program.
Property of Rebel News.

Nevertheless, since Iran’s nuclear issue started to reap controversy, Indonesia has its own opinion in this issue. In Indonesia’s point of view there was no fact that Iran intended to develop its nuclear weapon. Yet the technology shall be developed for domestic energy necessities in Iran and served in some kinds of international cooperation with other nations which have problems in alternative energy fulfillment. Thus the intention is viewed positively by Indonesia.


Indonesia’s View Points Regarding Iran’s Position in Nuclear Technology Issue

As a nation that follows the principle of "free and active" foreign policy, Indonesia clearly based its actions on international laws that guarantee of a world order based on freedom, lasting peace and social justice, including in Iran’s nuclear issue.

The existence of Indonesia and Iran as parties of Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) can be legal basis to both nations in conducting cooperation of nuclear technology for peace purposes. NPT itself purposes assertive to eliminate nuclear weaponry which exist (nuclear disarmament) and to prevent new nations to develop their nuclear technology for military purposes. On the other side, NPT also guarantee right of nations to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, as long as it is conducted in transparent and accountable manners, orderly commit to the monitoring and verifying system of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in appropriate to “safeguard agreements”. Based on those, the Indonesia government has tried to attitude proportionally in understanding Iran’s nuclear issue that results so many discourses in various world hemispheres.

Bushehr Reactor of Iran. Constructed by Siemens.
Property of GlobalSecurity.org

The attitude of Indonesia became important measurement toward the conducting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council’s effort to vote Resolution 1747 on March 24, 2007, more over Indonesia’s position, that time, as a member of the Security Council for period of January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2008.

In its capacities as a party of NPT, a member of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and a member of UN Security Council, Indonesia has done various diplomacy efforts and investigations to track various possibilities in Iran’s nuclear issue. The conclusion gained by Indonesian government indicated that the main problem in Iran’s nuclear issue is not about Iran’s right to develop its nuclear technology, but how the right to develop it for peaceful purposes is implemented in transparent and accountable manners appropriate in each engagement which Iran has made to various international agreements as a sovereign nation.

The Government of Indonesia and Iran, that time, had been agreeing two important matters related to Iran’s nuclear technology development. First, that its development processes for peaceful purposes, including its uranium enrichment process has not conducted in transparent and accountable manners under technical monitoring of IAEA as the authority agency. It could be understood, remembering the political situation and condition in Iran, since the fall of Shah Iran, always being in tension with numerous nations in Gulf Region, made Iran’s effort to develop its nuclear technology along 20 years carried out under cover, whereas on certain stage, uranium enrichment process can be easily altered into military purposes (dual use). This is it that results suspicion to many parties. Second, Indonesia agreed with Iran in asserting necessity to disarm nuclear weapons for some nations that already had those.

President SBY & President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
in a special meeting discussed Iran's Nuclear Program.Jakarta May 10, 2006
Property of Dudi Anung - Presidential Secretary

Therefore, Indonesia openly admitted in various forums that Indonesia fully supported Iran’s right to develop its nuclear technology, but in transparent and accountable manners. The Iran’s right is guaranteed by international laws in forms of various agreements. While that right actually also the right belongs to many other development nations.

Indonesia’s support to that UN Security Council resolution just gave after previously the Security Council accepted Indonesia’s proposal to add some amendments regarding, First, the obligation of nuclear weapon nations to disarm their nuclear weaponry, Second, the formation of a free nuclear region in Middle East, Third, asserting right to every nation to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and Fourth, the negotiation between Iran and European Union carried out in good intention.


Some Expected Consequences of This Cooperation

The Indonesia’s status in partnership with Iran can be a guarantee to international community that Iran’s nuclear program obviously dedicated to peaceful purposes and humanity benefits. This is inherited of Indonesia’s membership in NAM and Indonesia’s status as one of NPT parties.

According to one of NAM principles, Indonesia opposes to development efforts and ownerships in nuclear weaponry. NAM National Summit Declaration in Havana on September 16, 2006, highlighted once again an exclamation to nuclear disarmament and prohibition of development, production, ownership and storage of those weapons. The Declaration also prompted nations to form free nuclear weaponry regions in various world hemispheres, including in Middle East. Meanwhile NPT mission, as previously described, also appropriate with that NAM principle.

President SBY & President Ahmadinejad among other leaders of
the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)
along the 11th Summit in Dakar Senegal
March 13, 2008 - Property of World News

From the perspective of trust balancing among nations that have majority Islam believers in Middle East Region, or members of the International Islamic Conference, Indonesia’s status as a nation with the largest Islamic community in the world, but rooted on plurality, obviously have special quality as a representative of the Islamic world to be equal partner with Iran, simultaneously expected to be able in guarding that cooperation in order not to adverse the integrity of international Islamic community. It is no more secret, although Iran well known as an Islamic nation, but not all of nations that have majority Islam believers in Middle East Region can always agree with every single political step of Iran. This is one of important values of the Indonesia’s status in that cooperation.

The most important, this cooperation is also expected shall be an opportunity to solve alternative energy problems which are very needed by both nations. In the same manner as ever been indicated by the Head of Cooperation, Legal and Public Relation Bureau of the National Nuclear Agency, Ferhat Azis, that it has been going on a trend of more difficult and more expensive of fossil fuels amid the threat of global warming, while nuclear has been known as a friendly environment option, thus ”the Nuclear Reinassance” is predicted will come to reality. Therefore, various international cooperation are needed to promote in ensuring that the extension of nuclear energy utilize will be conducted in safety and secure condition without incurring proliferation of nuclear weaponry.

-AKW-

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s Address Regarding the Tension of Indonesia and Malaysia

The English Translation of the Transcript.
Translated by Ananta K. Wibawa

Delivered On Wednesday, September 1, 2010 in the Headquarter of the Indonesia National Armed Forces.
Cilangkap, Eastern Jakarta.


Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
May peace be upon you and the Mercy of God and Its blessing.

Peace be upon us all,

My Fellow Countrymen who I love and I am proud of.

Tonight, I would like to deliver explanations to the Indonesian people about the Indonesia-Malaysia relationship. Let we begin it by reviewing the development and dynamics of both countries relationship, as one of the most important of Indonesian’s bilateral relations.

The relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia has wide coverage that is related to our national interests, our people interests.

First, Indonesia and Malaysia have historical, cultural and brotherhood relationships which are so tight and may be the tightest in comparison to other countries and it has been tied in hundred of years. We have the historic responsibility to maintain and continuing this brotherhood relationship.

Second, the Indonesia and Malaysia relationship is the most important pillar in the big family of ASEAN. ASEAN can grow so rapidly along this last four decades, among other, caused by the firm foundation in the Indonesia – Malaysia bilateral relationship.

Third, there are about 2 million of our fellows who are working in Malaysia – in various corporations, farming and other sectors. This is the biggest amount of Indonesian workforce outside the country. Of course the existence of Indonesian workforces in Malaysia is to bring mutual benefits, both to Indonesia and Malaysia.

Meanwhile, there are about 13.000 of Indonesian students and high education students who are studying in Malaysia and there are 6.000 of Malaysians who are studying in Indonesia. Those are the nation assets that we must keep to maintain together, and also our partnership capitals in the future.

The Malaysian tourists who visit to Indonesia are the third biggest in the amount of 1.18 million people, in excess of 6.3 million of foreign tourists.

The Malaysia’s investments in Indonesia of the last 5 years (2005-2009) are 285 investment projects, in the amount of US$ 1.2 billion, and the Indonesia’s investments in Malaysia in the amount of US$ 534 million. The amount of both countries trading has reached US$ 11.4 billion in the year of 2009. This shows that the economic relation between Indonesia-Malaysia is really strong.

President is delivering his address
Property of Abror Rizki - Presidential Secretary

Nevertheless, this special relationship is also very complex. This relationship is not free from problems and challenges. There is a kind of diplomatic postulate, that the closer and the tighter of both countries relationship, many more problems that are faced.
A sample of problem and challenge that we face is related to the Indonesian workforce in Malaysia. We know that the existence of 2 million Indonesian workforces in Malaysia, besides giving of mutual benefit, also emerging cases in the field that we should keep to manage. Therefore, since the early time, I try hard to struggle the Indonesian workforce’s rights, among other, in related to their wages and vacation times; to provide law protections and to build the schools for the Indonesian workforce’s children.

In my last visiting in Malaysia, we have succeeded to reach an agreement of providing and protecting rights to our workforce in Malaysia.

In relation to law cases that are faced by the Indonesian workforce in Malaysia, our government actively do of accompanying and legal advocating steps to assure our fellows got their truly rights.

Besides the Indonesian workforce’s problems and protections to the Indonesian citizens we also often find problems related to both countries boundaries. The problems need serious management from both sides.

Therefore, by realizing the mutual interests, I and the Prime Minister of Malaysia often to communicate directly, besides annual consulting forum that we conduct of, to assure that these bilateral issues can be managed by us and to find the way out in good manner.


My Fellow Countrymen,

Last days, the Indonesia-Malaysia relationship is re-examined by an incident which was occurred in around of Pulau Bintan waters on last August 13, 2010. Because of this incident has made as wide coverage from Indonesian society, in this opportunity, I would like to deliver of explanations about the real root of the matter and action steps which has been taken by our government.

Since I received the report of this incident on August 14, 2010 in the morning, I directly delivered of various instructions. First, I asked in order that our officers of the Ministry Of Marine Affairs and Fisheries are immediately returned safely.
Immediately after that, the Minister-Coordinator for Politics, Law and Security and the Minister of Foreign Affairs carried out rapid actions to manage that incident handling by taking needed steps.

In regard to this incident, we all feel concernedly and I want this problem immediate to be solved thoroughly by prioritized diplomatic steps. I would like to say that since the incident occurring, the government has carried out the actions. The system was also worked.

I also emphasized that this kind of problem must be solved rapidly, explicitly and precisely, because it is related to our national interests. Maintaining good relationship with friendly country, more over with Malaysia, is very important. Nevertheless, of course we may not ignore our national interests, more over when it is related to the sovereignty and solidity of the Unitary Nation of the Republic of Indonesia.

President and General Djoko Santoso were inspecting a domestic production of weaponry after opened Commanders Call on 2008 in Cilangkap
Property of Abror Rizky - Presidential Secretary

In regard to this, I have sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, which is principally to deliver deep concern against the incident. I also prompted in order that the negotiation process on the maritime boundaries can be accelerated and thoroughly completed. By the way, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called the Ambassador of Malaysia to deliver a protest note.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also has conducted intensive communicating with Malaysia Minister of Foreign Affairs. In its progress, “praise be to God” the three officers of the Ministry Of Marine Affairs and Fisheries now has returned home to the motherland.

In regard to those three officers, the Government of Indonesia has received the information of improper treatments which are suffered by them. Therefore, the Government of Indonesia asked of explanation regarding the truth of the information. Through diplomatic line is received the information that The Government of Malaysia now is conducting the investigation about the problem of treatments which have been done to the three officers.


My Fellow Countrymen,

Clearly, in the future, this kind of incident should be prevented, in order not to continue to raise problems between both countries. This effort we can do by immediate completing thoroughly of the negotiation regarding jurisdiction boundaries between Malaysia and Indonesia, and also forms of coordinating and partnership between both sides, in spirit to keep maintain good relationship between both countries.

Engaging of the handling of 7 Malaysian fishermen who entered the Indonesia jurisdiction waters, against them it has been taken actions in compliance to the prevailing regulations. After the process has been finished, they will be deported to Malaysia, as the prevailing customary in ASEAN environment through the time. It will need to be known, in similar cases, many Indonesian fishermen who were allegedly entered the friendly countries jurisdiction waters, were also deported to our country.


My Fellow Countrymen,

Learned from this experience, the government of Indonesia contends whereas the most exactly solution to prevent and overcome similar incidents is, by immediately to complete thoroughly negotiations of jurisdiction boundaries between Indonesia and Malaysia. These negotiations relate of land and maritime jurisdiction boundaries, including of the area of the Singapore Strait, and the Sulawesi Waters, or the Ambalat waters.

Indonesia contends whereas negotiations related of these jurisdiction boundaries can be accelerated and effected its implementations. Everything comes from good intention and goal, in order that similar incidents that shall interrupt both nations good relationship can be prevented and eliminated. I seriously highlight, one more time, in order that the negotiation process which shall be continued by both governments truly producing the real gained.


My Fellow Countrymen,

The sovereignty and solidity of jurisdiction is the most vital national interest. The government also deeply understand that interest, and shall work seriously to keep and enforce that. Nevertheless, not all of the problems that emerge in relationships with friendly countries are always related of sovereignty and solidity jurisdiction matters. Therefore, we must, can give the exact value to every problem that emerges.

Nevertheless, how small problem will emerge on the bilateral relation will be solved by us for the sake to support our national interests. We have to always keep our image and identity as a dignity nation in engaging of international relations, without loosing the basic principle of international relation which is freely and actively, and to be served to our nation’s interests.

As the head of state and the head of the administration, I also fell what Indonesian people fell. I truly understand the concerned, the care, even the emotion which you, fellow countrymen fell. And what government is doing now and will do to the next, also truly as the reflection of us all.

I also ask to stay away of excessive actions, just like violence actions, because those only increase of the existence problems. Violence often triggers other violence. The hope to solve this problem seriously and precisely, without destructive actions, also I received from our fellow Indonesians who exist in Malaysia.


My Fellow Countrymen,

Our method of handling the Indonesia-Malaysia relationship would be seen and followed by friendly countries in Asia region, even by the International Community. Throughout the time, as an ASEAN founder, Indonesia often becomes as the guidance of solving various conflicts emerging in the region, as well as in other earth hemisphere. Therefore, let’s while we keep struggle our national interests, the character and the international role of Indonesia that is constructive, and in spirit to keep maintain the piece, always can be kept.

Finally, the incident occurred between Indonesia and Malaysia in recent days will be solved thoroughly. Indonesia will always prompt Malaysia in truly to complete thoroughly the negotiations of jurisdiction boundaries that often trigger incidents and tensions. Therefore, by prevented unnecessary tensions and impacts, I believe that the problem, the good relationship and the bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia will develop greater.

Toward the future, in wider international relations, we should keep guard our sovereignty and solidity of our jurisdiction, and keep always build our self to become advance, prosperity and dignity, by keep maintain good relationship and cooperation with friendly countries.

That is all

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
And may peace be upon you and the Mercy of God and Its blessing