FOREIGN MINISTER: CONFLICTS ONLY CAUSE MISERY

Jakarta, Jan 22 (ANTARA) - Conflicts happening in the world caused nothing but misery and suffering to many people, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said here on Thusrday.

"Conflicts and uncertainty surrounding us only fetch misery and suffering to life of innocent civilians. It seems today that the strong can destroy anything when they think it is necessary without feeling the consequences," Wirajuda added.
In the Gaza Strip, more than a thousand innocent civilians had been killed and more than five thousand wounded in three weeks of the war. Yet, the rest of the world only became spectators, he said in an event called Pejambon Coffee.
On this occasion, Wirajuda also delivered his Annual Foreign Policy Statement.
"At the end of 2008 and entering 2009, many countries including Indonesia, are facing a multi-demensional crisis, such as climate change, energy shortages, as well as food and financial crises," said Wirajuda, adding that Indonesia's diplomacy however will work hard to cope with the crisis.
Some 60 foreign ambassadors attended the event. Besides conveying the annual foreign policy statement, he also performed a shadow puppet show with an English narration, depicting a conflict between good and evil.