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.