Diplomatic mission to be trimmed

Diplomatic mission to be trimmed

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government is planning to reduce the number of the country's
representative offices around the globe in an effort to enhance
the performance of its diplomatic missions.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on Thursday
restructuring the representative offices could mean the closure
of diplomatic missions deemed no longer beneficial.

"We will utilize our representative offices to the maximum
effect, but we are still assessing which offices we would like to
restructure," Hassan said after a ceremony to inaugurate 14 new
Indonesian envoys.

"However, the trend is to reduce the number of offices as we
find no need to open new representative offices," the minister
said.

Indonesia currently has 119 representative offices, including
embassies, consulate generals and consulates, in about 70
countries.

Some of the offices were opened based on the need for
Indonesia to establish bilateral ties with as many countries as
possible, due to its position as the largest country in Southeast
Asia and to maintain its nonaligned principles.

Indonesia has also actively joined international organizations
to win acknowledgement from the world community.

Since taking office in July 2001, Hassan has moved ahead with
plans to restructure the ministry, beginning with a revision of
the organizational structure of his office.

During the ceremony on Thursday, President Megawati
Soekarnoputri installed 14 new ambassadors, including those to
Australia, Russia and Malaysia.

Some of the decrees spelling out the placement of the
ambassadors were signed only minutes before their inauguration.
There was no explanation given for the delay.

Hassan said that although the post of Indonesian ambassador to
Australian had been vacant for more than a year, Canberra
understood it was not a negative political signal from Jakarta.

"They understand that it was because of prolonged domestic
procedures on our side," the minister said.

Among the ambassadors sworn in was the former chief editor of
The Jakarta Post, Susanto Pudjomartono, who has been posted to
Russia.

"The President asked me to hold talks with the Indonesian
Military chief and officials at the Ministry of Defense to
discuss the country's plan to purchase more Russian-made Sukhoi
warplanes," Susanto said.

Former National Police chief Gen. (ret) Roesihardjo was
installed as the country's ambassador to Malaysia.

List of newly inaugurated ambassadors

Name Country

Abdul Wahid Maktub Qatar

Ahzam Bahdari Razif Senegal

Anwar Santoso Pakistan

Artauli R.M.P. Tobing Vietnam

Bambang Prayitno Vatican

Broto Utomo Bulgaria

Djismun Kasri Kenya and Seychelles

Faisha Hasan Soeftendy Greece

Gede Putu Artisme Namibia

Imron Cotan Australia

Perwitorini Wijono Denmark and Lithuania

Primo Alui Joelianto New Zealand

Roesdihardjo Malaysia

Susanto Pudjomartono Russia