Palestinian ambassador should be replaced: Alwi<\/p>\n
SEOUL (JP): Indonesia will ask that Palestinian Ambassador to
\nJakarta Ribbhi Awad be replaced following accusations he botched
\na briefing with a Palestinian parliamentary delegation, which led
\nto it erroneously condemning the Indonesian government for not
\nsupporting the Palestinian cause.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab said in
\nSeoul on Thursday that Awad misinformed the Palestinian
\nparliamentary delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
\nconference in Jakarta, which led to the delegation criticizing
\nPresident Abdurrahman Wahid.<\/p>\n
\"We do not want to deport him, but we will ask that Ribhi Awad
\nbe replaced. I will send a letter to (Palestinian leader) Yasser
\nArafat,\" said Alwi, who is in the South Korean capital
\naccompanying Abdurrahman to a summit of Asian and European
\nleaders.<\/p>\n
The controversy erupted in Jakarta on Wednesday when the head
\nof the Palestinian delegation, Salem Al-Za'noon, after meeting
\nwith People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, expressed
\ndisappointment with the Indonesian government for failing to
\nsupport Palestine during the recent conflict with Israel.<\/p>\n
Al-Za'noon further criticized the President's refusal to
\nwithdraw his membership from the Shimon Peres Foundation, which
\nhe claimed helped fund Jewish settlements on Palestinian land.<\/p>\n
The criticism came as a surprise because Indonesia has
\nremained an adamant supporter of the Palestinian cause. Jakarta
\nalso has repeatedly refused to recognize and open diplomatic ties
\nwith Israel.<\/p>\n
Alwi blamed on Thursday Ambassador Awad's failure to convey
\naccurate information on Indonesia's stance on the Middle East
\ncrisis for the Palestinian statement.<\/p>\n
The Palestinian ambassador is one of the longest serving
\nenvoys in Jakarta, having been posted in the capital since 1992.<\/p>\n
Alwi said the fact that such criticism was launched against
\nthe President was a disgrace, adding that he would seek
\nclarification from the Palestinian ambassador once he returned to
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
\"The Palestinian ambassador wants to intervene in Indonesia's
\ndomestic affairs. We cannot accept this,\" Alwi remarked.<\/p>\n
The criticism against Indonesia also appears out of place as
\nthe Indonesian delegation at the IPU conference lobbied for a
\ndraft resolution condemning Israel for the recent Middle East
\nviolence.<\/p>\n
Also, Abdurrahman and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
\nMohamad issued a joint statement on Tuesday expressing concern
\nover the issue.<\/p>\n
And in Geneva, the Indonesian delegation to an emergency
\nsession of the United Nations Human Rights Commission issued a
\nstatement demanding the UN body take concrete action to stop the
\nviolation of the rights of the Palestinian people.<\/p>\n
In a statement delivered by Ambassador Nugroho Wisnumurti,
\nIndonesia called for the establishment of an international
\ncommission of inquiry and underlined the need for UN Human Rights
\nCommissioner Mary Robinson to actively participate in collective
\nefforts to improve the human rights situation in Palestinian
\nterritory.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta on Thursday, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar
\nTandjung expressed regret over the Palestinian statement.<\/p>\n
\"Criticizing the President is not ethical conduct for the
\nambassador. He should be given a warning,\" Akbar remarked.<\/p>\n
Akbar warned that a repeat of such behavior could warrant the
\nambassador being declared persona non grata.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Akbar suggested the government consult with the
\nHouse before taking such a drastic measure.<\/p>\n
Legislator Ferry Tinggogoy echoed Akbar's statement, saying
\nAwad's criticism of Abdurrahman was unethical.<\/p>\n
\"Ribbi deserves to be recalled. The President has the right to
\nbe angry with the ambassador,\" Ferry, from the Indonesian
\nMilitary\/National Police faction, said. (jun\/byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/palestinian-ambassador-should-be-replaced-alwi-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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