Indonesia in the UN

With a vote of 164 out of 170, Indonesia on Thursday became a member of the United Nations Security Council.

As a country representing Asia and as the leader of the Non- Aligned Movement, this two-year Security Council membership gives Indonesia the chance to make a greater contribution to the efforts to settle global problems.

In other words, Indonesia's election is a challenge that must be answered by stepping up the quality of Indonesia's diplomacy. However, that alone is not enough because the quality of our diplomacy is also determined by developments at home. In every effort made by an Indonesian diplomat the world sees the image of Indonesia.

To whoever will be chosen to represent Indonesia in the Security Council in the coming couple of years, full support must be given in order to enable him or her to carry out his or her mission as best as possible.

-- Suara Karya, Jakarta