To response the new war in Lebanon, Indonesia calls for immediate ceasefire. It was also reported that Indonesia will prepare a battalion for the UN peacekeeping operation in Lebanon if needed.
Indonesian has actively sent its military (and police) personnel’s for the UN peacekeeping for many years back UN Peace Operation in Congo and Sinai. Since then it has regularly send the troops to contribute to the UN operations in many places. Regionally, Indonesia sends its largest component to Cambodia during the UN initiative to bring peace and democracy in Cambodia war. In addition, there has been substantial peace support operation in the Southern Philippines few years ago.
Currently, according to the latest report fro the UN Peacekeeping Operations (30 June 2006) reported that Indonesia is in the ranking of 44 in providing troops and police for UN peacekeeping for the total of 208 personnel. It is below Guatemala (216), Bolivia (231) and slightly higher than Burkina Faso (174) personnel’s. While, traditionally, the largest suppliers of peacekeepers are Bangladesh (10,310), Pakistan (9,793), India (9,054) and Nepal (3,516) officers.
So, despite of its involvement in the UN peace operations, Indonesia never able to send substantial number of troops to the UN operations. Indonesian troop’s contribution t o the UN is below Ethiopia (2,771). This is due to the fact that Indonesia does not have standing force that deployable any time when the UN needs Indonesian contributing for PKO.
Looking to this reality –it is time for Indonesia to build Peacekeeping Centre PKC (or whatever the name) so it will have standing force that ready on call if the UN needs support. The Indonesian constitution is clearly stated that Indonesia will have to contribute to international peace and security.
The creation of PK-C will give many benefits for Indonesia and international community: (1). It is Indonesian contribution to promote world peace; (2). Good for professional technical expertise in conducting peace mission, PKO; (3) experiencing with interaction with multinational forces at operational and tactical level; (4) as a mode of Indonesian contribution to humanity; (5). Provide better training and experience for the troops; (6) lastly, is an image branding for Indonesia in International arenas.
In this situation, to strengthen and improve the Indonesian contribution to PKO, it needs political decision to establish Peacekeeping section in Indonesian armed forces. The establishment of PKC will help Indonesia future international relations and in turn it will also change the orientation of military of being inward looking into more outward looking to participate in global peace and security. ©Riefqi Muna: 30/July/2006
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