Minister of Foreign Affairs: RI Sends 8,000 Troops to Gaza, Not Paying 1 Billion US Dollars
JAKARTA - Foreign Minister (Menlu) Sugiono stated that Indonesia has become a permanent member of the Peace Council or Board of Peace (BoP) even though it has not deposited a contribution of 1 billion US dollars.
According to Sugiono, the contribution of 1 billion US dollars that had been discussed earlier was not a mandatory fee or a condition for permanent membership. However, Indonesia contributed to the deployment of 8,000 security guards.
"So from the beginning I said this is what it's called, it's not a membership fee. It's not a membership requirement, no. We are now members, there is no need to pay, it's okay," said Sugiono when giving a press statement in Washington DC, Friday (20/2) night local time.
He clarified the assumption that Indonesia had not deposited funds so that its membership status was questioned. According to him, there is no obligation to pay certain dues to become a permanent member of the forum.
The previous discussion related to the figure of 1 billion US dollars, referring to the contribution scheme if a country wants to take a certain role, such as becoming a permanent member. However, this is different from the current membership status held by Indonesia.
Regarding the claim of funding commitments of up to 5 to 7 billion US dollars, Sugiono said the figure was a pledge from a number of other countries and was outside the membership dues scheme of the Board of Peace.
The contribution mechanism can be carried out in various ways. In addition to funds and troops, there is also an individual contribution scheme that is channeled through special accounts, including those managed by the World Bank.
As a form of real contribution, Indonesia chose to participate through the dispatch of peacekeepers. The government prepared around 8,000 personnel to support the mission agreed upon in the forum.
"There are those who (contribute) money, there are those who send troops, there are those who send people to the account at the World Bank yesterday," he explained.