Indonesia Not Yet Acknowledged Kosovo's Independence
Monday, 18 February, 2008 | 17:42 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Indonesian government cannot yet acknowledge Kosovo's unilateral statement declared yesterday (17/2).

“The Indonesian government will closely watch progress in Kosovo and is not yet in a position to acknowledge Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence,” said Foreign Affairs Department spokesperson, Kristiarto Legowo, in his office on Monday (18/2).

According to him, the Indonesian government hopes that the problems faced by Serbia regarding Kosovo society can be resolved peacefully through dialog and negotiation.

“The government hopes that the independence statement does not cause any open tension or conflict, especially with Serbia, bearing in mind there have been many victims so far in the Balkans area,” said Kristiarto.

The government, he said, fully respects the national sovereignty and regional unity principle of every United Nations country member—which is a principle contained in the UN Charter and International Law.

“This is an important principle that countries, especially developing countries that are still facing nation-building challenges, must uphold,” said Kristiarto.

Indonesia, he went on to say, regretted the failure in efforts to solve Kosovo matters through dialog and negotiations.

Raden Rachmadi