Some elements praise Indonesia`s abstention in UN vote on Iran

Indonesian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Marty Natalegawa in his remarks at the UN Headquarters in New York on Monday said he preferred to abstain in the additional sanction to be imposed on Iran following that country`s reluctance to suspend its uranium enrichment.

He believed that the sanction in the resolution was unfair for imposition on Iran, because that country was cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), thus `at this juncture, more sanctions are not the best course.

The Indonesian abstention has inspired some circles in the country, giving him a thumbs up for the brave attitude.

Prof Dr Sahaidi, an expert in international law at the North Sumatra University in an interview on Monday praised Natalegawa`s decision in preferring to abstain in the US-sponsored resolution on Iran at the UN Security Council.

"The step taken by Indonesia is proof of this country`s role in its free and active foreign policy," he said adding Indonesia was the only country of the 15 UNSC members which had the guts to say that it could not support the fresh sanction.

The Indonesian abstention from supporting the UN resolution proved that Indonesia had a strong stance. "This will give an additional value and improve the Indonesian image in international fora. We are very proud of Indonesia for having taken such a strong stance," he said.

Furthermore, he said the issue on Iran was an international political game played by the United States. The US since a long time ago wanted to treat Iran like Iraq, he said.

The US intention to dictate Iran will never produce a success without international support, as the people in Iran are resolute and united in facing international sanctions.

Such similar appreciation was extended by Prof Dr Sofyan Siregar, a lecturer at the European Islamic University in Rotterdam, who said ``bravo` should be directed to Indonesia in its decision not to support the UN sponsored vote on Iran in the UN Security Council.

The IAEA-Iran work plan as described by Natalegawa constituted a platform to restore confidence of the international community. `Any interruption to this confidence building will disrupt the crucial gains that had been made.

After learning Natalegawa`s remarks during the meeting, Sofyan said