Diplomatic mission to be trimmed<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government is planning to reduce the number of the country's
\nrepresentative offices around the globe in an effort to enhance
\nthe performance of its diplomatic missions.<\/p>\n
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on Thursday
\nrestructuring the representative offices could mean the closure
\nof diplomatic missions deemed no longer beneficial.<\/p>\n
"We will utilize our representative offices to the maximum
\neffect, but we are still assessing which offices we would like to
\nrestructure," Hassan said after a ceremony to inaugurate 14 new
\nIndonesian envoys.<\/p>\n
"However, the trend is to reduce the number of offices as we
\nfind no need to open new representative offices," the minister
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Indonesia currently has 119 representative offices, including
\nembassies, consulate generals and consulates, in about 70
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
Some of the offices were opened based on the need for
\nIndonesia to establish bilateral ties with as many countries as
\npossible, due to its position as the largest country in Southeast
\nAsia and to maintain its nonaligned principles.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has also actively joined international organizations
\nto win acknowledgement from the world community.<\/p>\n
Since taking office in July 2001, Hassan has moved ahead with
\nplans to restructure the ministry, beginning with a revision of
\nthe organizational structure of his office.<\/p>\n
During the ceremony on Thursday, President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri installed 14 new ambassadors, including those to
\nAustralia, Russia and Malaysia.<\/p>\n
Some of the decrees spelling out the placement of the
\nambassadors were signed only minutes before their inauguration.
\nThere was no explanation given for the delay.<\/p>\n
Hassan said that although the post of Indonesian ambassador to
\nAustralian had been vacant for more than a year, Canberra
\nunderstood it was not a negative political signal from Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"They understand that it was because of prolonged domestic
\nprocedures on our side," the minister said.<\/p>\n
Among the ambassadors sworn in was the former chief editor of
\nThe Jakarta Post, Susanto Pudjomartono, who has been posted to
\nRussia.<\/p>\n
"The President asked me to hold talks with the Indonesian
\nMilitary chief and officials at the Ministry of Defense to
\ndiscuss the country's plan to purchase more Russian-made Sukhoi
\nwarplanes," Susanto said.<\/p>\n
Former National Police chief Gen. (ret) Roesihardjo was
\ninstalled as the country's ambassador to Malaysia.<\/p>\n
List of newly inaugurated ambassadors<\/p>\n
Name Country<\/p>\n
Abdul Wahid Maktub Qatar<\/p>\n
Ahzam Bahdari Razif Senegal<\/p>\n
Anwar Santoso Pakistan<\/p>\n
Artauli R.M.P. Tobing Vietnam<\/p>\n
Bambang Prayitno Vatican<\/p>\n
Broto Utomo Bulgaria<\/p>\n
Djismun Kasri Kenya and Seychelles<\/p>\n
Faisha Hasan Soeftendy Greece<\/p>\n
Gede Putu Artisme Namibia<\/p>\n
Imron Cotan Australia<\/p>\n
Perwitorini Wijono Denmark and Lithuania<\/p>\n
Primo Alui Joelianto New Zealand<\/p>\n
Roesdihardjo Malaysia<\/p>\n
Susanto Pudjomartono Russia<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/diplomatic-mission-to-be-trimmed-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }