Jakarta names Wirjono ambassador for Canberra
Jakarta names Wirjono ambassador for Canberra
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto selected senior diplomat Wirjono Sastrohandojo, currently Jakarta's envoy to France, as Indonesia's new ambassador for Australia, ending months of controversy and speculation about who should fill the post.
Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono announced yesterday that Wirjono will be appointed "as soon as possible".
"It all depends on the schedule of the President. But the sooner the better," he told reporters at his office.
"As Australia is our neighbor, we are sending an ambassador who is senior and competent for the Australian post," he said.
The announcement was made only hours after the Indonesian government received notice of the Australian government's approval of Wirjono's appointment.
"I think I can say that one of the chief requirements for the job of an ambassador is the ability to communicate in a proactive manner, not only with the government where he resides but also with groups in society that are known to be critical, particularly the press," Moerdiono said.
Wirjono, a 61-year-old father of three from Yogyakarta, is a career diplomat with previous ambassadorial posts in Austria (1989-1990) and France (1993- to present).
He became Indonesia's number one spokesman on human rights issues abroad when he was Director General for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between 1990 and 1993. His extensive knowledge about human rights bodes well for the Canberra post given Australia's strong concern and often critical views about Indonesia's human rights record, particularly in East Timor.
His earlier overseas posts include Argentina, the United States and the United Nations. He was also director for American affairs at the ministry. He is fluent in English, French and Spanish, the ministry said in a statement.
The Canberra post has been left vacant since the return of Ambassador Sabam Siagian, a former journalist, to Jakarta in June. His appointed successor, Lt. Gen. H.B.L. Mantiri, was dropped because of a last minute objection from some groups in Australia about his appointment. Canberra had already given its approval earlier.
The Australian press learned of an 1992 interview in which Mantiri condoned the 1991 incident in East Timor that left, according to official account, around 50 people dead. The press report started widespread controversy about Mantiri's appointment in Australia.
Because of the controversy, President Soeharto decided in July to leave the ambassadorial post vacant. It was not until September, when Soeharto met with Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating, that the Indonesian government began considering who should fill the post.
Wirjono was chosen from a number of candidates, including military officers, a top scholar, a member of the House of Representatives, a senior journalist, and a number of other senior diplomats.
In Canberra, Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans said he became acquainted with Wirjono during the protracted Cambodian peace talks which Indonesia and Australia were involved in the 1980s, AFP reported.
"I know Pak Wir personally as a result of close contact with him and (foreign minister) Ali Alatas during the Cambodian peace negotiations and have the highest regard for him," Evans said in a statement. "It is pleasing that the Indonesian government has appointed an ambassador of such caliber."
"Mr. Wirjono is a very senior member of Indonesia's diplomatic service and can be expected to make a substantial contribution to the further development of Australian-Indonesian relations," Evans stated. (emb)