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.