Indonesia's third party role in the peace process in the Southern Philippines

• Main Author: Anshori, Mohamad Zakaria Al
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2012
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/4347
• Institution: De La Salle University

Indonesias diplomatic posture in the Southern Philippines peace process is parallel with the countrys foreign policy behaviour in ASEAN. Its role in Mindanao has consistently followed the pattern of the countrys foreign policy behaviour in the region. If Indonesia applies high profile foreign policy in ASEAN, it will be involved actively in the Southern Philippines. It shows similar relationship on the way around. Tracing Indonesias basic foreign policy principles can reveal the rationale of Indonesias strong commitment to the peace process. Indonesias role conception in this regard is a natural leader of ASEAN and primus inter pares in ASEAN. This sets a belief that Indonesia has entitlement on managing the security and stability in Southeast Asia. Indonesias motive as a peace broker in the region including in Mindanao might be viewed through this perspective. Having examined the dynamics of Indonesias foreign policy under presidencies of Suharto, Habibie, Abdurrahman Wahid, and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, this study revealed that the implementation of its national role conception as a natural leader of ASEAN is greatly influenced by domestic factors. Indonesia conducted high profile foreign policy in ASEAN and active participation in Mindanao peace initiative during Suharto. This was possible because the regime was supported by national strong economic performance and political stability. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyonos administration has shown the same pattern with Suhartos foreign policy in the region and diplomacy in the Southern Philippines. Meanwhile, the administrations of Habibie, Abdurrahman Wahid, and Megawati showed low profile in ASEAN. Consequently, Indonesia had the declined role in the peace process in the Southern Philippines. Implementation of a perceived leader of ASEAN was hampered by its limited capabilities and capacities as a result of economic crisis and political instability which hit the country since 1997.