Diplomats<\/p>\n
From Kompas<\/p>\n
I read with interest the article in Kompas of Dec. 7, 1996,
\ntitled Partai Komunis Portugal - Revolusi Bunga Fretilin
\n(Portuguese Communist Party - the Flower Revolution of Fretilin)
\nby Subijakto Prawirasoebrata. In the concluding paragraph, the
\nwriter, who is head of LPSI (the National Institution of
\nStrategic Studies), suggested that Indonesia should conduct
\nlobbying activities in various international forums, and should
\nnot keep a low profile. To maintain a low profile attitude will
\ngive the impression that Indonesia is on the wrong side and
\ntherefore deserves to be penalized.<\/p>\n
It seems necessary for all Indonesian embassies to be more
\nactive in lobbying and should not shun challenges that might harm
\nthe national interest.<\/p>\n
I recall an event that took place two years ago. Some time
\nbefore the APEC summit in Osaka, Japan, a diplomat from the
\nIndonesian embassy in Tokyo was too timid to accept the challenge
\nof Japan's NHK television station to be present at a forum to
\ndiscuss East Timor. Consequently Indonesia was not represented,
\nand the Japanese socialist group succeeded in raising East Timor
\nas one of the issues of their political campaign.<\/p>\n
What has impeded our diplomats from speaking the truth about
\nEast Timor? Is it because they do not have a good grasp of the
\nproblematic issue, or is speaking in a foreign language too great
\na constraint for them?<\/p>\n
Also they should not continuously state that the East Timor
\nissue is purely an internal affair of the Indonesian nation and
\nis separate from the international political network. Diplomatic
\nsuccess depends largely on maintaining good control over internal
\nissues but not without keeping focused on international
\nperspectives.<\/p>\n
An Indonesian citizen<\/p>\n
living abroad<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/diplomats-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }