Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Former foreign minister Ali Alatas said Indonesia was supporting the Palestinian struggle for independence not because of religion but because of a basic principle.
"Many quarters mistakenly think that Indonesia`s support for Palestine is related to religion," Alatas said here Monday during a dialog on Indonesia`s role in the post-Annapolis Middle East peace process.
He said Indonesia`s support was purely a matter of principle, something dictated by its constitution which says that independence is the inalienable right of every nation and therefore, all forms of colonialism must be abolished.
"Indonesia very much adheres to this principle. So, its support for Palestine is not because we share the same religion," he added.
Under this principle, Indonesia had been actively supporting other countries` independence such as that of South Africa and Nambibia.
"Indonesia has also taken an active part in the peace process toward the independence of Cambodia and the Philippines. All of this is not because of religious considerations but because of constitutional principles that have been adopted by the state," he said.
He said he regretted the opinion of certain quarters who had linked Indonesia`s support for the Palestinian struggle with Islam.
"This misperception exists not only in Indonesia but also in a number of other countries," Alatas said.
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