PRESIDENT : RI SUPPORTS NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

Ambon, Nov 25 (AMBON) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has stressed Indonesia's commitment to supporting the United Nations efforts to rid the world of nuclear armaments.

In his address to mark the peak event of the 34th World Peace Day commemoration program in Ambon on Wednesday, President Yudhoyono said the government would support the world body's campaign to stop the world's nuclear weapon development.

"Indonesia will support the UN efforts for nuclear disarmament including a ban on nuclear development anywhere around the world. Indonesia will support and continue to do so until nuclear disarmament is realized in the future," President Yudhoyono said.

The head of state said Indonesia would also continue to play its active role to keep world peace, including its participation in the United Nations peace-keeping force and in the inter-cultural as well as inter-faith dialogs.

"Indonesia will also play its role to overcome various global problems and challenges such as climate change because its negative impact is much more disastrous than the impact of a war or armed conflict," the president said.

Therefore President Yudhoyono called on all nations around the world and all regional organizations to play their active role as well to realizing a lasting world peace.

"Let us be in one accord to end various violent conflicts and wars because the typical characteristic of civilized nations are those who hate violence but love peace and try to overcome conflicts with civilized and peaceful manners," the president said.

Meanwhile, International Labor Organization (ILO) Deputy Director Peter Van Rooij as UN representative in Indonesia said it were civilians who usually fell victims in wars and violent conflicts.

The poor people also have no hope to improve their livelihood if violence and wars continue to happen, Van Rooij said.

To those who remain at war and conflict with each other without mercy, Van Rooij reminded that there was a way out through peaceful efforts.

"We ask all people around the world to support UN efforts to create world peace and nuclear disarmament," he said.