Indonesia Consistently Supports Palestinian Cause

Jakarta, Aug 15 (Antara) - The Indonesian government has been consistent in offering support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono noted in his state-of-the-nation address. "Regarding Palestine in particular, Indonesia together with other nations, has been active in fighting for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish an independent and sovereign country," the president stated in his address before the joint session of the House of Representatives (DPR), the Regional Representative Council (DPD), and the People`s Consultative Council (MPR) at the Parliament Building here on Friday. "We have been on the front line in the fight to get full membership status for Palestine in the United Nations (UN). We have also been active in promoting capacity-building of the Palestinian people to prepare them for running an independent and sovereign state," he asserted. Indonesia has included the Palestinian cause in its foreign policy and has supported it through diplomatic means. "Recently, I sent an open letter to world leaders to have a joint stance and conscience to stop highly disproportional and inhuman violence being committed by Israel against the people of Gaza at present," he remarked. Indonesia will continue to fight for Palestine`s Independence based on a Two-State Solution," he stated. Regarding the efforts to maintain global peace, Indonesia has also played a crucial role, he pointed out. "Indonesia has become one of the major suppliers of forces in UN peace missions. Indonesia`s role, in this perspective, has increased and has been seen clearly not only because of the number of its personnel but also because of their quality," he emphasized. According to Yudhoyono, Indonesia has a vision to be included among the top ten countries contributing personnel to partake in UN peacekeeping missions.