International diplomacy

International diplomacy

Indonesia has been stung by the tiny state of Vanuatu. The country, made up of 83 islands, is situated right above Australia. Until 1980, it was managed by France and Britain and has a population of just 200,000.

Last Tuesday, Indonesia's top security minister, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, ordered the foreign affairs ministry to verify a report that the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) had set up a diplomatic office in Vanuatu on Aug. 17, when Indonesians were celebrating the country's 58th Independence Day.

If proven true, Yudhoyono said, the Indonesian government would strongly protest. Another Indonesian separatist group, the Free Papua Organization (OPM), has also reportedly opened a diplomatic office in Vanuatu.

According to Vanuatu's website, the state only has two foreign embassies, those of China and France. Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom only have high commissioners posted there.

Despite the fact that Vanuatu is a tiny country and is not politically or economically important, the opening of a GAM representative office there would be a major blow to Indonesia.

We cannot afford to neglect these small things. If we do not take this issue seriously, it could one day boomerang on Indonesia. -- Republika, Jakarta