National

No Result to Ambalat’s Negotiations
Wednesday, 23 March, 2005 | 22:37 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Denpasar:The negotiations between Indonesia and Malaysia, which have been referred to as a technical meeting for Ambalat, has ended without any conclusion.
Both sides still maintain their respective positions and consider that the block in question lies within their country’s sovereignty.
“It is difficult to expect a settlement to this complicated problem in just one meeting,” said Marty Natalegawa, spokesperson for the Indonesia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the meeting at Mirage Hotel, Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua.
He went on to say that, as promised by the foreign ministers of both countries, routine meetings would continue in the near future.

Marty confirmed that Indonesia was still holding to the International Ocean Law that became an United Nations convention in 1982.
He also said that Malaysia was still holding to its own map, made in 1979.
“This was an initial opportunity for the technical teams to have quiet discussions and explain each other’s position,” said Marty.

Just like on the first day, discussions during the second day were also tense.
The venue of the meeting was even moved to the third floor of the hotel to make it difficult for the press to gain access.
Members of the delegations refused to comment about the negotiations.

Rofiqi Hasan