Don't let the world look down on Indonesia: Megawati

Don't let the world look down on Indonesia: Megawati

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

Indonesia's image abroad is currently at its lowest ebb
because of its failure to address various crises that have struck
the country, particularly these last three years, President
Megawati Soekarnoputri said on Wednesday.

"Whether we like it or not, all of these have downgraded our
(international) rating," Megawati told 113 Indonesian ambassadors
who were summoned home for a four-day conference in Jakarta.

"The international admiration is gone and the respect for
Indonesia has been diminished. These existed when Indonesia,
along with several other countries, were seen to have had
miraculous economic growth rates in the 1980s and the early part
of the 1990s."

The situation was made worse by Indonesia's failure to quickly
address these crises thoroughly, she said.

"Many of these foreign countries now even look down on
Indonesia as a nation that has no dignity and a nation that fails
to respect human rights.

"I believe you all have felt this," she said.

The ambassadors were all called back to be briefed on the
policies of the new administration of President Megawati.

Megawati has made improving Indonesia's image abroad and
restoring its international credibility, particularly among
financial institutions and investors, one of the top priorities
of her government.

She has used her first foreign visits, including to the United
States and Japan, to drum up international support for
Indonesia's efforts for economic recovery.

The President acknowledges that all these efforts to win back
international confidence will be difficult unless the government
improves the domestic situation. "But therein lies the quality
and caliber of your diplomacy," she said.

She also called on the ambassadors to watch closely recent
international developments, including the problems of terrorism
and the global economic downturn.

"You're not only required to understand all the aspects and
operational matters of our foreign policy principles, you're also
required to be vigilant."

Touching briefly on the plan to restructure the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, she proposed that young returning diplomats
serve in other ministries before their next foreign posting to
gain some insight into the workings of the government.

In return, the ministry or government agency that hosts these
diplomats would benefit from their presence, their knowledge,
experience and their network of contacts abroad, she said.

Several Cabinet ministers are scheduled to address the
ambassadors during their four-day working conference in Jakarta.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirajuda said the
conference would form several caucuses to discuss specific topics
in more depth, such as issues related to labor, the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Indonesian Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, and the Balkan region.

This is the first time since 1994 that Indonesian ambassadors
abroad have been called home at the same time, according to
Antara.