Wamenlu Anis Matta Says 3 Scenarios in the Middle East: Peace, Escalation, or Hanging

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (Wamenlu) Anis Matta. (Teddy Kurniawan VOI)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (Wamenlu) Anis Matta said the situation in the Middle East is still very tense. He said there are three scenarios that may now develop in the region, namely peace, escalation, or a hanging condition - not peaceful, but also not an open war.

Anis conveyed this at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Monday, June 8, after the President received a letter of confidence from eight ambassadors of friendly countries.

According to Anis, the political forces in Iran, the United States, Israel, and the Gulf countries are still pulling and pushing each other. There are parties who want to calm things down. There are also those who encourage escalation.

"If there is a second escalation, this will be very dangerous because the second round of this battle will definitely be much more brutal than the previous one," said Anis.

He said Indonesia hoped that escalation would not occur. The government encourages all efforts to de-escalate, peace, and find ways to build long-term peace in the region.

Anis said the Middle East region ideally changed from a conflict zone to a development zone.

During the meeting with the eight ambassadors, the President also explained Indonesia's foreign policy principle: free and active. Indonesia does not have military alliances with any country.

According to Anis, the President emphasized that the resolution of conflicts must be achieved through peaceful means. The use of military force, he said, will not end well.

"What we encourage is to build a spirit of peace and cooperation with all parties," said Anis.

The eight ambassadors who submitted the letters of credence were from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Czech Republic, Greece, Palestine, Lebanon, South Korea, and Saint Lucia.

Anis said the handover of the letter of confidence was held behind closed doors for technical reasons. He emphasized that there was nothing special behind the format.

The President, said Anis, also apologized to the ambassadors for the delay in submitting the letter of credence. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the delay was solely due to the President's busy schedule, not because there was an intention to delay.

Anis said the ambassadors understood the situation. They also had the opportunity to convey messages from their respective leaders to the President.

"The atmosphere is very good. More importantly, they all try Hambalang coffee," said Anis.