Indonesia to try preventing deadlock at Climate Change Summit

Antara 16 Dec 09;

Berlin (ANTARA News) - Indonesia should keep seeking loopholes for possible negotiations in the midst of the threat of a deadlock in the current climate change talks in Copenhagen, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said.

In a phone conversation with Rahmat Witoelar, the Indonesian chief delegate to the talks, held during a limited meeting several cabinet ministers and provincial governors joining the presidential delegation at where the Head of State and delegation stayed in Berlin on Wednesday President Yudhoyono said "we are formulating a strategy, which is not confrontational but partnership, and not media popularity, showing Indonesia speaking up here and there. The criteria of success must be a deal in Copenhagen," he said.

Rahmat on the occasion told the head of state about the current developments in the talks including problems being faced and potentials of a deadlock.

After being briefed on the developments of the talks President Yudhoyono said Indonesia`s delegation must play a role in the process of negotiations and would not resort to threats like a walkout or others.

"Norway prime minister Stoltenberg called me and asked for a meeting with me to harmonize steps well. Later we will formulate the strategy. Our choice is not confrontation but partnership," he said.

To the ministers and provincial governors Yudhoyono meanwhile said Indonesia had to prepare well for the implementation of the country`s decision to cut gas emissions by 26 percent in 2020.

He called on them to take into account potential obstacles to the implementation of the decision.

He said the meeting in Copenhagen would be tough like that in Bali but through various approaches available he hoped no deadlock would occur.

"The COP (climate talks) is a forum of negotiators nor leaders. The G-20 is a forum of leaders but here those who fight are negotiators. Based on the Bali experience they would leave earlier because they are hopeless, no deal was made," he said.

He said however that problems could be reduced through non-confrontational approaches.

The meeting lasted for about an hour before President Yudhoyono departed for Copenhagen.(*)