Foreign Ministry

Foreign Ministry
explains

From Kompas

In response to the letter sent by Robert P. titled Foreign
Ministry trapped in coordination meeting, ing (Kompas, December 18), we I
I consider it necessary to explain that information coordination
meetings are one of the ministry's routine activities related to
the working territories of the representative offices of the
Republic of Indonesia. The purpose is to provide the information
officials with matters related to public relations, first-hand
information about the latest developments in Indonesia and
techniques on how to communicate with the media.

The meeting heard lectures from relevant officials and experts
in their fields, including a simulation by a Beijing-based senior
journalist of a foreign media publication.

The meeting also drew up an action plan and this had to be
carried out by the representative offices with consideration
being given to the reality and capability conforming to the
condition of the representative offices concerned. The funds for
the meeting did not come from a special project, but from the
representative offices concerned. Even speakers not from the
foreign ministry paid for their own trip to Beijing.

Concerning the benefit of Internet, it should be noted that
not all that an information officer needs can be obtained from
the Internet because, in an effort to improve the quality of
human resources, a coordination meeting places the stress on
active interaction between the participants and resource persons.
So the information coordination meeting was one of the means to
achieve this goal. Of course, time, energy and money were needed.

The foreign ministry fully appreciates the public demand that
more attention should be given to the protection of Indonesian
citizens faced with one problem or another abroad. Therefore, in
the new structure of the foreign ministry, a new directorate has
been set up. This is the directorate for the protection of
Indonesian citizens and Indonesian statutory bodies.

The establishment of this directorate requires a larger budget
for the ministry.

M. WAHID SUPRIYADI

Director of Information

and Media

Foreign Ministry

Jakarta