U.S. Embassy wall<\/p>\n
Please see editing note below<\/p>\n
American Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce has asked the governor of
\nJakarta to make an exception, to enable the U.S. Embassy to erect
\na three-meter high solid wall in front of its premises (The
\nJakarta Post, July 9, U.S. Embassy and its wall).<\/p>\n
As a Jakarta resident for my entire adult life, I felt
\nsomewhat distressed to hear this outrageous request. Moreover,
\ndespite the ambassador's persuasive tone the letter is
\nunconvincing and, at the same time, ignores the principle of
\ndiplomatic relations as set out in the Vienna Convention. Perhaps
\nthe ambassador may recall the rules applicable to embassy
\npremises is \"inviolability\", and shall not in any which way shall
\nbe construed as the principle of extra territorial. this entire
\nsentence is incomprehensible. Please recheck intended meaning
\nwith writer<\/p>\n
Should any other arrangement be made by and between the two
\ncountries involved, then it must revert to the established
\nprinciple of reciprocity.<\/p>\n
As a matter of principle, and on the basis of the foregoing,
\nthe outright rejection by the city administration of the U.S.
\nEmbassy's plans to erect a three-meter high solid wall at any
\npoint on the premises is quite correct and should not become an
\nissue between two friendly nations. Regrettably, I do not believe
\nthat construction of such a huge wall will remedy the existing
\neyesore of a concrete traffic barrier and barbed wire in front of
\nthe chancery. Neither will it enhance the \"beautiful state of the
\nsymbolic area.\"<\/p>\n
I wonder if Ambassador Boyce would support the idea if the
\nIndonesian Embassy requested an exception, to erect a huge three-
\nmeter high solid wall in the heart of Embassy Row, Washington DC.
\nNo doubt the State Department and mayor of Washington would
\nreject any such proposal.<\/p>\n
It would also become evident to the governor of Jakarta, once
\nan exception were granted to a particular embassy, that he could
\nexpect similar requests for exceptions to be made from other
\ndiplomatic missions on the basis of nondiscrimination.<\/p>\n
In short, please give the citizens of Jakarta a break. Make
\nthem feel a bit happy now, after so many sad things have happened
\nin this unfortunate city.<\/p>\n
SAMSUBAHRI SIREGAR
\nJakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-embassy-wall-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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