There has been a growing feeling among Indonesian leadership that the country deserves a major role as a regional power based on its size, population, geostrategic importance and natural resources.
Role in Cambodia
As a mark of its independent foreign policy, Indonesia followed a "dual track" policy in regard to the Cambodian question.
The first track as to hold bilateral dialogue with Vietnam for a more realistic approach to Cambodia, independent from ASEAN.
The second track was marked by adherence to ASEAN 's policy.
In mid 1988 , Indonesia provided a forum for the Vietnamese backed government in Phnom Penh to meet with leaders of the three factions of the coalition opposing the government.
Indonesia 's continuing role as a mediator in he Cambodian conflict was rewarded by its co-chairmanship along with France, of the 19 nation Paris Peace Conference on Cambodia, which resulted in the agreement of October 1991