Indonesia Supports Nuclear-Free Zone in Middle East

Indonesia recently took part in two conferences on nuclear weapons in two countries that are in heated opposition -- the first, a nuclear summit in Washington, DC, and the second a nuclear conference held two days later in Tehran, Iran. Indonesian Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teuku Faizahsyah discussed Indonesia's role in both conferences in an interview.

Question: Indonesia was recently involved in conferences on nuclear weapons in Washington and Teheran. What was the motivation behind these two conferences?

Answer: The Nuclear Security Summit in Washington focused more on how to prevent nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of irresponsible people and thus endangering international security. So, it focused more on safeguarding nuclear materials. The conference that took place in Tehran focused on attempts to do away with weapons of mass destruction.

Judging from a number of statements that came out of the two conferences, we get the impression of a dispute. On the one hand, the US accuses Iran, and even threatens Iran with nuclear weapons; on the other hand, Iran calls the US a "nuclear criminal."

Question: What actually happened?

Answer: I think that we should not look at it from the perspective of competition or a dispute, but see the two forums as discussing issues of importance to Indonesia: the security of nuclear weapons, and how to create a world that is safe and without nuclear weapons. That is the essence of Indonesia's participation in the two forums. So whoever hosts a forum to discuss ways to create a world that is safe through nuclear disarmament and disarmament of other weapons of mass destruction will certainly attract Indonesia's interest.

Question: What about the several countries that have still not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and still don't want to make public their nuclear arsenals, such as Israel, for instance?

Answer: Our stance is clear, that we ask for compliance with the regime for nuclear weapons disarmament that is included in the NPT, so that Israel's nuclear technology can be evaluated by international bodies, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Thereby security and the whereabouts of materials can be determined. One thing we are pushing for is a nuclear weapons-free zone in the Middle East.

Question: Relating to nuclear weapons in the Middle East, recently a number of Western countries have been competing with each other to sell nuclear technology for energy purposes to a number of Arab countries. Is there concern in the world that this could later lead to the development of nuclear weapons?

Answer: I don't know the technical details, but Indonesia is paying very close attention to the development of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. We see nuclear technology in the framework of three pillars; we reject its spread, support its development for peaceful purposes, and seek nuclear weapons disarmament. Of these three pillars, we still don't know if in the future we will be forced to use nuclear technology for energy purposes or not. That underscores the importance of the role of the IAEA as an international body that can carry out regular checks and assessments, and can evaluate the nuclear energy programs of countries that possess nuclear technology.

Question: Related to the dispute on nuclear issues that led to the trading of threats and counter-threats between Teheran and Washington at the two conferences, what is Indonesia's position?

Answer: Our position is quite well understood by Iran: as long as their development of nuclear energy is for peaceful purposes, we are supportive. But, if they use nuclear materials to develop nuclear weapons, we would be among the first to express our objections. And there is no problem with our expressing that objection to a friendly country.

Question: Has Indonesia's support of Iran's program to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes affected its relations with the US?

Answer: No, in the sense that the US understands our position well and knows how concerned we would be if the use of nuclear energy were to be diverted to developing weapons. And, for example, if Iran develops its nuclear capacities for peaceful purposes, we support them, and if they do not, then certainly Iran, also, would understand Indonesia's objections.

Question: Do you consider appropriate the posture of the US threatening to use its nuclear arsenal to attack Iran?

Answer: We do not comment on the attitude of one government towards another government, for this could cause problems. It could be seen as not conducive. We note that the US's position has changed considerably in its nuclear policies. The United States sees that the world should be free from all nuclear weapons, including what has already been agreed to in the reduction of nuclear weapons. This is a process. So, if there is collective motivation to create a nuclear weapons-free world, we will support it and value it. In other contexts, of course, we hope other countries will take similar steps so that the risks of mass destruction can be avoided by us all.

Nuclear Security Summit

The world is often under the threat of destruction, whether it is attributed to the deeds of human beings or disasters brought down by the Almighty. While natural disasters such as earthquake, typhoon with all sorts of names, flood and tsunami are enough to teach a lesson to all livings on the earth, human beings directly conspire to destroy the world because of ego, revenge, differences in religion and skin color, arrogance, fighting for territories and all sorts of other reasons that they use to justify their ends, no matter what means they resort to.

Nuclear technology, in spite of benefiting human beings and the world, many lives have been sacrificed and many properties have been destroyed by it because of clashes. Human beings took tens of centuries to construct civilizations, all buildings constructed using sweat and millions of money, and the beautiful mother nature were destroyed in a blink of an eye.

The explosion of atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki rang the curtain up on modern destruction and became a reality in human history. The usage of nuclear arms is now a huge threat to the world. When these dangerous weapons are used extensively, just by pressing a button from thousands of kilometers away or from a combat jet, the world would turn into a completely destroyed land in a blink of an eye.

Washington Summit
The two-day Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington starting 12 April is an important meeting for this world, which is full of controversies in this century, amidst the threat of terrorism and various forms of crisis -- from economic recession to racial and ethnic conflicts.

Though it is difficult for countries in this world to resolve the problem of proliferation, the summit will still work to find way toward a consensus. Countries invited to attend the summit are considered as having their own role to play. Malaysia is represented by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is undoubtedly concerned of global peace, in this two-day summit.

Najib's US Visit
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is now in Washington for his nine-day working visit to the United States. He is one of the 40 world leaders to attend the summit upon invitation from President Barack Obama. Malaysia is not a country possessing nuclear weapons. Yet, Malaysia's attendance is deemed important to prove that Malaysia supports the effort to ban extensive use of nuclear weapons.

Malaysia acknowledges the importance to advance in nuclear technology for good purposes, such as energy and medical purposes. Nuclear technology can produce cheaper electricity and become an alternative to fuel in generating energy.

As a country with a majority of its population are Muslims, Malaysia's attendance in the summit is an example to show that Islam is not to be linked with terrorism. Nuclear terrorism must not linked with Muslims and Islamic countries.

Negative Development
As for nuclear arms, though the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has become the 'bible' to countries with tendency toward developing technology of nuclear weapons, it often causes conflict.

Some countries continue with their weapon tests. The ban and the world's view are swept aside. In general, advancement of nuclear technology leads more to negative development. Today, the world seems cannot function without nuclear weapons. Without nuclear weapons, a country may have to bow to world powers possessing the destructive weapons.

Countries with nuclear weapons have the power to threaten weak countries. Superpowers especially the United States appear to be so prominent in controlling proliferation, but in the eyes of the world, this country has 'tested' its capacity when it attacked Iraq.

Fight Against Nuclear Terrorism
The United States is the most advanced country in nuclear technology. Several other countries also develop nuclear technology, but they are forced to confront with objection from various quarters, including warnings from the United States itself.

Some countries stand firm in developing nuclear technology on a concrete reason -- they do not become victims bullied by superpowers.

The issue of nuclear weapons often brings negative atmosphere to the world. All treaties on nuclear are seen to have certain motives. The United States uses nuclear terrorism to justify. All countries with nuclear technology program are often considered as having their own agenda.

Malaysia also has its agenda. Malaysia's agenda is to invite all countries in this world to move toward a peaceful world.

It is difficult for the United States to convince the world that its action to champion the cause of fighting against nuclear terrorism is sincere. For most countries, whatever comes from the United States, its sincerity is always disputable.

Many countries which have interest in the development of nuclear technology have different agenda from the United States. This is a huge challenge Obama has to face. Since Obama was the person initiated this summit, the world hopes to see a firm decision, especially in preventing proliferation.

Malaysia does not directly suggest that developing nuclear technology would destroy the world, but it will give support to developing nuclear technology for the benefit of the world.

Malaysia does not have any nuclear weapon or any weapon that could destroy the world. The world should listen to the countries that do not have their interest in the development of destructive nuclear weapons.

Hope for Positive Outcome
It is hoped that Obama administration will reduce the usage of nuclear weapons through its new policy on nuclear weapons and will give assurance that the United States will cut down its dependence on nuclear weapons for its national defense.

This can happen if the United States does not any new target to attack and this will definitely free the world from nuclear threat.

If the United States can do this, there is no reason why other countries, which also develop their nuclear weapons cannot do the same. There is no way for the United States to instruct other countries to close down their nuclear plants while they themselves can do whatever they want.
The world welcomes Obama's pledge to bring peace to the world. It is hoped that the summit this time will open a new page for the benefit of the world and all human kinds. Development of nuclear weapons must not be made as a defense strategy as it will eventually bring destruction to ourselves.

Biased Attitude of IAEA, UN Toward Iran

Recently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has accused Iran of developing nuclear missile. The agency confirmed that Iran had started its uranium enriching activity to the stage of producing atomic bombs. Such actions had triggered new tension between Teheran and the IAEA.

Meanwhile, the Director General of IAEA Yukiya Amano also alleged Teheran refused to give commitment to the IAEA officers to inspect Iran's nuclear plant in Qom and claimed that there were a number of facilities and techno plant of nuclear program concealed underground in the mountainous area nearby Shiite holy city, Qom.

Teheran Refutes Allegation
Iran had refuted the allegation of the IAEA director general who took over the task from Mohamed El Baradei since 1 December 2009 by claiming that Amano had presented an inaccurate report and biased against Teheran in the meeting of this United Nations body in Vienna. Iran instead clarified that Teheran had given its commitment to the atom development inspection body to carry out their inspection as scheduled. Yet, why did Iran allege the IAEA as practicing a 'biased' policy in assessing its nuclear development program?

The IAEA was set up in July 1957 with the purpose to act as a responsible body to encourage nuclear development for peace, to control the activity of nuclear development and to check the activity of developing nuclear for military purpose by any country.

In general, the IAEA is an 'ideal' body responsible for preserving world peace and protecting the world from the threat of nuclear. However, in practice, it is not too much to say today that the IAEA can be deemed as the 'Trojan Horse' of the United States which helps the latter to collapse the attempt of any country which tries to strengthen their power in nuclear development.

Thus, Teheran's allegation against the IAEA which claimed that Yukiya Amano's report as a biased and inaccurate report was also influenced by the factor of the IAEA's 'willingness' to become the 'Trojan horse' of the superpower, the United States. We can evaluate the stand and perspective Iran holds toward the IAEA based on the attitude of the agency itself which sees Iran as a 'sinful' country which is doing 'big sins' in nuclear development while there are many other countries developing nuclear arms but not imposed any sanction and pressure.

The reality is that Iran is seen 'victimized' in big powers' maneuver against new countries developing nuclear program. Iran has faced various sorts of sanctions between 1979 and 2010, including the sanctions imposed by the United States and UN. But why does Iran become the only victim?

Whether Iran develops nuclear for the purpose of peace or arms, the international atomic body should evaluate its own shortcomings in carrying out its responsibility worldwide. This is because while the United States tries to act like the 'world police' advocating the effort to bring global peace, the superpower is itself the country having the largest stock of nuclear arms in the world, estimated at more than 11,500 units of nuclear weapons.

In fact, the United States has always invented various versions of nuclear weapons and the objective of developing nuclear weapons is to use them in war. Does the United States invent these nuclear weapons just for fun? This means the United States itself invents new nuclear weapons everyday, so that it can use them in war and kill their enemies. But the United States has not been taken any action by the IAEA and UN, although the weapons they produce are weapons of mass destruction (WMD) that could destroy human civilization.

The IAEA has also failed to check the nuclear development of Russia, which is until today estimated as possessing more than 7,500 units of nuclear weapons. The IAEA has also failed to control Britain, France and China which have so far been "free" to develop their techno plants and nuclear weapons without control from the international atomic body. Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan which was once part of the Soviet Union had also had nuclear weapons before; whereas member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) such as Belgium, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Italy, and Turkey also have nuclear weapons stationed by the United States.

Worrying About International Sanction
Unfortunately the IAEA has not taken any action against these countries. More unfortunately, the IAEA has failed to control the nuclear development program of India, Pakistan, North Korea and South Africa as well. These countries are 'free' to develop nuclear without having the need to worry about international sanction. Similarly, the IAEA has to date continued to 'keep quiet' and close its eyes on the nuclear program developed by Tel Aviv since as early as 1956. Israel owns 250 to 300 units of nuclear weapons and is one of the countries which have not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The nuclear program and weapons of the Jews are no longer a secret, instead countries in the world have known about nuclear weapons owned by Israel. This failure of the IAEA can be seen from the research done by Nuclear Age Peace Foundation which had estimated the number of nuclear weapons at 26,000, of which a majority are owned by the United States and Russia in addition to 40 other countries.

The growth of nuclear arms shows the failure of the IAEA and UN in controlling nuclear proliferation at international level. With this failure, can the IAEA and UN convince Iran to terminate its nuclear program? As a matter of fact, the IAEA only targets at Iran to cover up its own weaknesses.

The Saudi leader, a strong ally of the United States, Prince Saud al-Faisal also voiced out the biased attitude of the IAEA, the UN, and the United States when US State Secretary Hillary Clinton visited the country on 16 February. Prince Saud al-Faisal stressed that the effort to eradicate nuclear arms in West Asia had to include Israel and not only Iran.

Objective of Nuclear Program
Nevertheless, has the action of the United States and IAEA impeded Iran's attempt to achieve the objective of its nuclear development program? Based on the current development of its nuclear program, Iran appears to have made a successful step slowly in its nuclear program, despite the various pressure and sanctions from the international community.

According to the IAEA report, Iran is expected to succeed in its nuclear program by 2011. Under the anarchistic situation facing Iran in the political flow in West Asia and the world at this moment, it has had an influence on Teheran's stand of seeing nuclear as a need to assure its security and to protect other Islamic countries from the threat from Israel and the United States.

This stand of Iran was stated by Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on 19 February 2010 who emphasized Iran's intention to work together with Islamic countries and to help cultivate stability and security in the region. Iran even clarified that it would not be hostile to countries in the same region. On the contrary, the nuclear development program of Teheran should be seen in a positive context in the face of oppressive big powers.