U.S. ambassador holds RI talks in Washington<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON (Agencies): United States Ambassador to Indonesia
\nRobert Gelbard, who has been embroiled in a war of words with
\nsenior Indonesian government officials, is having consultations
\nwith his superiors in Washington, officials said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Gelbard returned home on a previously arranged family visit
\nlast week, in the midst of a growing bitter atmosphere in which
\nhis presence had become increasingly unwelcome in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"As on normal visits to Washington, Ambassador Gelbard will
\nmeet with officials of the department and with other agencies,"
\nsaid State Department spokesman Richard Boucher.<\/p>\n
The ambassador was due to hold talks with senior departmental
\nofficials, but it was not clear if he would see Secretary of
\nState Madeleine Albright.<\/p>\n
Boucher said the consultations would focus on American
\ninterests in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
He defined those interests as a strong interest in
\ndemocratization and stability in Indonesia, along with the
\ncountry's strategically vital sea lanes and American businesses
\nthere.<\/p>\n
"We have, obviously, a very strong interest in the health,
\nsafety and welfare of U.S. citizens who either reside there or
\nmay be visiting there," Boucher said.<\/p>\n
Gelbard's visit to Washington came days after the embassy in
\nJakarta was reopened after a two-week closure due to an alleged
\nsecurity threat.<\/p>\n
Indonesian officials were also unhappy over the manner in
\nwhich Gelbard made public his views on developments in the
\ncountry, accusing him of meddling in domestic affairs.<\/p>\n
Legislators have also called on the government to declare the
\nAmerican envoy persona non grata. The government has turned down
\nthe request.<\/p>\n
Several observers have pointed out that with the U.S.
\npresidential election, it is likely that Gelbard may be recalled
\nas ambassador to Jakarta.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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