Indonesia’s Peacekeeping Missions within the “Independent and Active Foreign Policy” Bangkit Rahmat Tri Widodo Introduction 1 Indonesia’s foreign relations, as stated on article 3 of Law Number 37 of 1999, is conducted on the basis of the independent and active foreign policy and dedicated to the national interest. 2 This foreign policy concept derived from Indonesia’s bitter history in gaining independence as well as the existence of national fragile unity due to its heterogeneous society. The principles underlying Indonesia’s foreign policy was expounded by Vice-President Muhammad Hatta on September 2, 1948 in Yogyakarta. These principles known as "Mendayung Antara Dua Karang" ("rowing between two reefs"), which later become the foundation of Indonesia's “independent and active” foreign policy. Since its independence, Indonesia has spirit and vigor commitment in actively contributing towards the establishment of World peace and security. The spirits of anti colonialism, as the fundamental prerequisite of world peace and security, is stipulated on the 1 st paragraph of 1945 Constitution Preamble. It states that “the independence is the right of every nation and colonialism must be eliminated from the face of the earth as it contrary to the dictates of human nature and justice”. It is emboldened by the fourth of national’s fundamental goal written in the 4 th paragraph of 1945 Constitution preamble “to contribute to the establishment of a world order based on Independence, permanent peace and social justice” 3 This spirit and vigor commitment has been advanced towards Indonesia’s active contributions in various peacekeeping operations since its first deployment under UNEF I in 1957. The implementation of Indonesia’s foreign policy has been dynamic from time to time although a certain set of well-established principles, formula and areas of priorities guide Indonesia’s foreign policy. It has been heavily influenced by the 1 An earlier version of this paper was conducted during the visiting fellowship program at Technische Universität (TU) Dortmund, Germany, funded by the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, from August to December 2010, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Christoph Schuck. 2 Government of the Republic of Indonesia, Law Number 37 of 1999. 3 Sekretariat Jenderal MPR. 2007.