Overseas lobbies are needed

Overseas lobbies are needed

It seems that the voices of criticism aimed at Indonesia are
increasing in the United States Congress, with members, from
House of Representatives Chairman Newt Gingrich to politicians
such as Senator Pacheco joining in the chorus. American foreign
policy is no longer an element of that country's "federal policy"
only. Instead, each state has the autonomy to act on its own.

The good thing about this new phenomenon in the U.S. is that
we must be ready from now on to anticipate political developments
in each individual state. This ability to anticipate can be
established by using local lobbies in the various important
political institutions, including senators, House members and
members of the executive, and, naturally, also the local and
national press.

Our vanguard consists of our foreign ministry diplomats.
However, the job of maintaining lobbies does not belong to
diplomats only, but to all of us. For this to be effective, a
strategy is needed, as are planning, funds and other means. We
should not be lazy in executing this big undertaking.

-- Kompas, Jakarta