ID :
207549
Fri, 09/16/2011 - 12:31
Auther :

ASEAN FOUNDATION CHIEF TALKS AT ICWA DISCUSSION ON PALESTINE

Jakarta, Sept 16 (ANTARA) - ASEAN Foundation Executive Director Dr. Makarim Wibisono was invited to speak at an Indonesian Council on World Affairs (ICWA) panel discussion on "Palestine State and the UN" at the Foreign Ministry`s Caraka Loka Building here on Thursday.

Fariz Mehdawi, the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, expressed Palestine`s gratitude to Indonesia`s support for the country`s independence.

During the discussion, Indonesia reiterated its support to the independence of Palestine. "Whatever the option is, the Palestinian bid for UN membership needs the full support of Indonesians as mandated by our Constitution," said Ambassador Ibrahim Yusuf, the Chairman of the Executive Board of Indonesian Council on World Affairs.

Mahfudz Siddiq, M.Si., a member of the Indonesian parliament focusing on foreign affairs, pointed out that his institution is active in promoting support for Palestine`s independence. "Our 1945 Constitution states that the real freedom is the absolute right of nations," he said.

Dr. Makarim Wibisono in his presentation emphasize that the year 2011 is crucial for Palestine`s fight for United Nations full membership as year 2012 will be the time for the United State presidential election, where the public attention will be shifted. This panel discussion was attended by the representative from diplomatic community, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and students from various universities.

Ibrahim Jusuf, the Chairman of Executive Board of ICWA, gave a welcoming remark on the occasion.

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