Mantiri's withdrawal<\/p>\n
Had (Lt. Gen. Herman) Mantiri become the Indonesian ambassador
\nto Australia, he would be representing the Indonesian government
\nand the Indonesian people. As (Foreign Minister Ali) Alatas said,
\nit would be inconceivable for us to allow our ambassador to be
\nmade a target for disproportionate affront, especially when done
\nmerely in the interest of political disputes.<\/p>\n
No less important, the withdrawal of Mantiri's nomination
\nactually constitutes a strategic move not only for Indonesia but
\nalso for Australia. Despite all the ups and downs, Indonesia and
\nAustralia have managed to establish very good relations. Of late,
\nthose relations have further improved.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, however, the withdrawal of Mantiri's
\nnomination without naming a replacement is an indication of the
\nIndonesian government's disposition towards the case. In
\ndiplomatic usage, this is not common. It would be correct,
\ntherefore, for the Australian government to view the fact of the
\nIndonesian ambassadorship in Canberra being left vacant -- albeit
\ntemporarily -- as an indication that the Indonesian government is
\nnot too happy about the drift of developments lately.<\/p>\n
Even so, considering that the two are close neighbors who have
\nmanaged to establish good relations, we hope this problem can be
\nthoroughly settled without delay. Certainly we do not want this
\ncase to develop into a diplomatic crisis which will destroy the
\nrelationship between the two countries. If that were to happen,
\nthe winners would be the East Timorese anti-integration groups.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mantiris-withdrawal-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }