House approves law on international relations

House approves law on international relations

JAKARTA (JP): The four factions of the House of
Representatives (DPR) approved on Tuesday a bill on international
relations and called on the government to follow up with
implementation regulations, Antara said.

Spokesman Y.B. Wiyanjono of the Indonesian Democratic Party
(PDI) faction told a plenary session the new law was expected to
enable the government to provide better legal protection and
security to Indonesian citizens living or working abroad.

Meanwhile, the government representative, ad interim foreign
minister Feisal Tanjung, said the law would link all parties
including the government and non-governmental organizations in
such a way so that uniform a stance on foreign policy could be
established.

Feisal also rejected a proposal by PDI and United Development
Party (PPP) factions that the appointment of Indonesian
ambassadors and counselors should be approved by the House.

According to the Feisal, basically the government will take
into account House proposals regarding those positions as not
only representing the president, but also the country.

"However, the 1945 Constitution stresses that ambassadorial
and counselor appointments are the prerogative of the president,"
Feisal said before the plenary session chaired by the head of the
military faction, Lt. Gen. Hari Sabarno.

Regarding the sending of peacekeeping forces/missions from
Indonesia, a declaration of war or peace and participation in
international agreements, the government has agreed to consult
the House first.

Feisal on Tuesday took Ali Alatas' place as the latter was in
Singapore for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting on 23 July and
24 July, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) on July 26 and July
27.