Diplomatic rearguard

Diplomatic rearguard

From Merdeka

The efficiency driven cuts in the number of diplomats in all Indonesia's overseas missions is a justifiable action. However, during this time of reform, discussion of the criteria for appointing ambassadors has been noticeably absent.

To support efficiency, the assignment of non-career ambassadors from political circles should also be reviewed, since there are many differences in the skills required by politicians and diplomats in their daily work.

In politicking, one attempts to triumph over an opposition and to impose an idea or opinion upon those with different views. Diplomacy, on the other hand, aims to foster mutually beneficial relationships between other countries and cultures, a delicate task indeed, with no place for forceful argument and expression of strong points of view.

Debating should be left to past and present members of the House of Representatives and it is therefore ironic that many of these people have in fact been made ambassadors.

Given the different skills a politician requires to succeed in the world of diplomacy, prospective ambassadors selected from political ranks should receive one year of training in the arts and finer points of diplomacy.

Furthermore, considering the minimal economic and political interests Indonesia has in Switzerland, it would be prudent for the Indonesian government to merge its Embassy in Bern with the Representative Office in Geneva. Assignments abroad are not just for enjoying life, and if cuts are required they must be made.

The Malaysian and Australian embassies in Bern have been closed for five years. Business is now handled by their respective embassies in Bonn, Germany. The Pakistani embassy in Bern is staffed by two people, including the ambassador. Yet the number of Pakistani people in Switzerland is greater than the number of Indonesians.

MRS. MARIETTA SITOMPUL

Bern, Switzerland