Envoy to Australia

Like everyone else, I don't like the negative impression Mantiri's nomination as our envoy to Canberra has made in Australia. Choosing an alternative doesn't mean that Indonesia complies with the anti-Indonesian government wishes found in Australia.

I nominate Indonesian actress Christine Hakim as our new envoy to Canberra. She is a brilliantly balanced mix of Indonesian conservative values and the western view of diplomacy. Her powerful character has been important in reconciling rival anti- East Timor forces abroad and pro-integration ones at home. We need her to reduce tension between the two sides. Hakim's appointment could be a present to the 20th anniversary of integration. She is a truly flexible figure for Canberra (The Jakarta Post, July 13, 1995).

IWAN SATYANEGARA

Jakarta