Don't let the world look down on Indonesia: Megawati<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesia's image abroad is currently at its lowest ebb
\nbecause of its failure to address various crises that have struck
\nthe country, particularly these last three years, President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
"Whether we like it or not, all of these have downgraded our
\n(international) rating," Megawati told 113 Indonesian ambassadors
\nwho were summoned home for a four-day conference in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"The international admiration is gone and the respect for
\nIndonesia has been diminished. These existed when Indonesia,
\nalong with several other countries, were seen to have had
\nmiraculous economic growth rates in the 1980s and the early part
\nof the 1990s."<\/p>\n
The situation was made worse by Indonesia's failure to quickly
\naddress these crises thoroughly, she said.<\/p>\n
"Many of these foreign countries now even look down on
\nIndonesia as a nation that has no dignity and a nation that fails
\nto respect human rights.<\/p>\n
"I believe you all have felt this," she said.<\/p>\n
The ambassadors were all called back to be briefed on the
\npolicies of the new administration of President Megawati.<\/p>\n
Megawati has made improving Indonesia's image abroad and
\nrestoring its international credibility, particularly among
\nfinancial institutions and investors, one of the top priorities
\nof her government.<\/p>\n
She has used her first foreign visits, including to the United
\nStates and Japan, to drum up international support for
\nIndonesia's efforts for economic recovery.<\/p>\n
The President acknowledges that all these efforts to win back
\ninternational confidence will be difficult unless the government
\nimproves the domestic situation. "But therein lies the quality
\nand caliber of your diplomacy," she said.<\/p>\n
She also called on the ambassadors to watch closely recent
\ninternational developments, including the problems of terrorism
\nand the global economic downturn.<\/p>\n
"You're not only required to understand all the aspects and
\noperational matters of our foreign policy principles, you're also
\nrequired to be vigilant."<\/p>\n
Touching briefly on the plan to restructure the Ministry of
\nForeign Affairs, she proposed that young returning diplomats
\nserve in other ministries before their next foreign posting to
\ngain some insight into the workings of the government.<\/p>\n
In return, the ministry or government agency that hosts these
\ndiplomats would benefit from their presence, their knowledge,
\nexperience and their network of contacts abroad, she said.<\/p>\n
Several Cabinet ministers are scheduled to address the
\nambassadors during their four-day working conference in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirajuda said the
\nconference would form several caucuses to discuss specific topics
\nin more depth, such as issues related to labor, the Association
\nof Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Indonesian Chamber of
\nCommerce and Industry, and the Balkan region.<\/p>\n
This is the first time since 1994 that Indonesian ambassadors
\nabroad have been called home at the same time, according to
\nAntara.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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