New U.S. ambassador in November

JAKARTA: New U.S. ambassador to Indonesia Ralph Boyce is scheduled to arrive here early next month to replace the current American envoy Robert Gelbard, an official said on Thursday.

"Although there is no official notice yet, I estimate that Ralph Boyce will arrive here early November at the latest," said Wahid Supriyadi, a media relations official at the foreign ministry.

Since being appointed by President George W. Bush, Boyce, whose assignment has been approved by the U.S. Congress, has been studying the Indonesian language.

Boyce has pursued his diplomatic career in a number of countries including Iran, Thailand, Singapore and Tunisia. -- Antara