GOVT URGED TO MEDIATE INDIA-PAKISTAN DISPUTE

Jakarta, Dec 21 (ANTARA)- Two legislators have asked the government to act as a go-between in the India-Pakistan dispute arguing the conflict might affect the Indonesian economy if it continues to happen.
Effendi Choirie, chairman of the Nation's Awakening Party (PKB) faction at the House of Representatives (DPR), and Musa Ichwansah, member of the Muslim-based United Development Party (PPP) faction at the DPR, made the remarks here on Sunday.
Both the South Asian countries have long become destinations of Indonesian export commodities, Effendy said, adding that Indonesia has a very strategic position to many other countries including to India and Pakistan.
According to him, India is Indonesia's third biggest export destination after the United States and China.
In addition, Indonesia has also good historical relations with Pakistan and India.
Under such a historical fact, it is not unusual for Indonesia to seek peaceful solution for the two neighboring countries' conflict.
Especially through religious approach where most of Indonesians and Pakistanis are Muslim, India has also a great number of Muslims, he cited.
"Through its cultural approach, Indonesia can play a greater role," he said.
"Indonesian former president Soekarno was engaged in good cooperations with the two countries such as through the Asia-African Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)," Effendy said.
In addition, Effendy noted that Indonesia has been upholding a free and active foreign policy and therefore, Indonesia's role as a mediator is badly needed by the conflicting countries.
Meanwhile, Musa Ichwansah said the Indonesian government has a good track record in carrying out its mediation effort so far.