Canberra names its new envoy

Canberra names its new envoy

CANBERRA (Reuters): Australia said on Tuesday it had appointed senior diplomat Richard Smith as ambassador to Indonesia.

Smith, ambassador to China from 1996 to February 2000, takes up the position in Jakarta when relations were strained by slow political reform and continued unrest along the Timor border.

"Australia's relationship with Indonesia is one of our most important and remains a key focus of Australia's diplomatic efforts," Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in a statement.

Relations soured last year after an Australian-led multinational peacekeeping force entered East Timor after the former Indonesian province voted for independence in August 1999.

"Mr. Smith's appointment comes at a time when Indonesia is experiencing a historic and welcome transformation to a more democratic future," he said.

Smith replaces John McCarthy, who held the key post since February 1997.

The announcement of his appointment had been delayed pending approval from the Indonesian House of Representatives

Smith, a career diplomat, served in New Delhi, Tel Aviv, Manila and Honolulu, and was head of the Pacific, Africa and Middle East division of the foreign department until 1992.