RI To Encourage NAM Member Countries To Support Palestine's Independence

Nusa Dua (Antara Bali) - In the ongoing Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) meeting in Bali, Indonesia will encourage other NAM member countries to support the independence of Palestine, an ambassador said.

"In this meeting, Indonesia will encourage the NAM member states to support the independence of Palestine,"  Indonesian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Hassan Kleib said here Tuesday. 

This September Palestine will go to the UN General Assembly for recognition of its independence, he said.

"However, the problem is that there are still 79 countries which have not recognized Palestine. From the 79 countries, 29 are NAM members. This is the significant of the meeting and at the same time the central role of Indonesia is at stake," he said.

Indonesia supported the 1967 border line of Palestine and Israel.

"In the Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2009, Palestine has been requested to prepare its independence as well as the national reconciliation. For that purpose, Indonesia has trained around 10,000 Palestinians to prepare themselves for an independent Palestine," the ambassador said.

The 16th Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned  Movement being held here, May 23-27, will discuss the Palestinian issue and  follow it up at the NAM Summit in Tehran, Iran, in 2012, Ambassador Hassan Kleib said.

"The meeting will discuss the economic, political, social, cultural, geographic, and other aspects. This is an important momentum after US President Barack Obama addressed that issue," Ambassador Hassan said.

A Palestinian minister participating in the NAM meeting will also give information on Palestinian political prisoners in Israel.

"Previously in New York, we discussed this matter. This meeting is a follow up of the last year meeting in New York," he said.

The UN General Assembly did not allow Palestine to propose a resolution because it is still considered not an independent state. Therefore, Indonesia will play an important role to put forward the resolution concerning the political climate in Palestine, he said.(*)