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Pidato Presiden Soekarno di hadapan PBB di tahun 1960 - Tentang Imperialisme dan Irian Barat
Risalah Nusantara
Overview
President Soekarno's 1960 address to the United Nations General Assembly powerfully condemns imperialism and colonialism, highlighting their interconnectedness with global security and peace. He argues that the struggle for national independence is a just and inevitable tide of history, and that true peace can only be achieved by dismantling the root causes of conflict, particularly the remnants of colonial rule. Soekarno uses the specific case of West Irian to illustrate the explosive potential of unresolved colonial disputes and urges the UN to support liberation movements and break with the past to build a better future.
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Chapters
- Soekarno expresses humility and responsibility in addressing the UN, representing not just Indonesia but also the aspirations of newly awakened nations.
- He emphasizes that all major global problems—colonialism, security, peace, disarmament, and the progress of underdeveloped nations—are deeply interconnected.
- Solving one problem, like disarmament, could free up resources to aid developing nations, demonstrating the ripple effect of global cooperation.
This sets the stage by framing the speech within a global context, urging listeners to see how seemingly separate issues are fundamentally linked and require collective action.
The speaker notes that if disarmament is achieved, funds could be redirected to assist underdeveloped nations.
- The world is witnessing the emergence and building of new nations, a process evident in Asia and Africa, contrasting with the prolonged peace experienced by Europe.
- While Europe has known peace for 15 years, Asia has endured atomic bombs, national revolutions, and conflicts like Vietnam, Korea, and Algeria.
- This disparity highlights a double standard where the West experiences peace while formerly colonized regions continue to suffer, leading to demands for respite.
This chapter contrasts the experiences of the West and the newly independent nations, highlighting the injustices and ongoing struggles faced by many, which fuels the demand for change.
The speaker lists the suffering endured by Asia, including atomic bombs, the Indonesian National Revolution, and the torments of Vietnam, Korea, and Algeria.
- Soekarno forcefully argues that imperialism is not dead but is dying, comparing its dangerous nature to a wounded tiger.
- The struggle for national independence and self-determination is presented as a justified and irresistible force of history.
- Those who resist this tide are described as blind and dangerous, posing a threat to global peace and stability.
This section directly addresses the core issue: the lingering power of imperialism. It frames the struggle for liberation as a righteous and inevitable historical process.
The speaker uses the metaphor of a 'wounded tiger in the tropical jungle' to describe the dangerous nature of dying imperialism.
- True peace requires more than just disarmament; it necessitates removing the underlying causes of tension and conflict.
- Even without advanced weapons, conflict will persist if its root causes remain unaddressed, as evidenced by Indonesia's struggle with basic weapons.
- The speaker calls for the UN to actively support freedom struggles, asserting that this will garner global goodwill and ensure future generations' approval.
This chapter shifts the focus from symptoms (like arms races) to the root causes of conflict, arguing that lasting peace is impossible without addressing issues like colonialism.
Soekarno states that his own nation fought for independence using knives and pointed sticks, illustrating that conflict arises from underlying grievances, not just weapons.
- The situation in West Irian is presented as a prime example of how imperialism and armed forces create an explosive and dangerous situation.
- Indonesia's claim to West Irian is framed as a struggle against colonialism, with Indonesian troops facing off against imperialist forces.
- The presence of colonial powers and their military in territories still under their control is identified as the direct threat to peace, not the actions of the oppressed.
This concrete example vividly illustrates the dangers of unresolved colonial disputes, showing how they create immediate threats to peace and international stability.
The speaker describes the 'explosive situation' in West Irian where Indonesian troops face imperialist forces, highlighting the danger posed by the presence of colonial military power.
- Soekarno urges a decisive break with the past and the eradication of imperialism to create a cleaner, more secure world.
- He calls for the UN to align itself with the tide of history and support the aspirations of humanity.
- The ultimate goal is to build a world that reflects the dreams and ideals of all people, moving beyond the legacy of colonialism.
This concluding section offers a vision for the future, urging a fundamental shift in global politics and a commitment to building a world free from the injustices of the past.
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Key takeaways
- Global peace and security are intrinsically linked to the eradication of colonialism and imperialism.
- The struggle for national independence is a legitimate and powerful historical force that cannot be suppressed.
- Lasting peace requires addressing the root causes of conflict, not just managing the symptoms like arms proliferation.
- The United Nations has a moral imperative to support liberation movements and dismantle colonial structures.
- The presence of unresolved colonial disputes, like West Irian, creates immediate and dangerous threats to international stability.
- Nations must collectively break from the past and build a new world order based on freedom, equality, and human ideals.
- The experiences of newly independent nations in Asia and Africa highlight a global imbalance and a demand for justice.
Key terms
ImperialismColonialismNational IndependenceSelf-determinationDisarmamentUnited Nations General AssemblyWest IrianCo-existenceUnderdeveloped Nations
Test your understanding
- How does Soekarno argue that colonialism is directly linked to global security and peace?
- What does Soekarno mean when he states that 'dying imperialism is dangerous'?
- According to Soekarno, why is disarmament alone insufficient to guarantee world peace?
- How does the situation in West Irian serve as a concrete example of the dangers of imperialism?
- What fundamental shift does Soekarno call for in his concluding remarks to the UN?