Professional diplomats

The Minister of Foreign Affairs has called on Indonesian diplomats to be more proactive, not merely reactive or silent while executing their duties. Giving an example, the foreign minister said that whenever unfavorable reports are published about East Timor or Indonesia, our diplomats should not just report the cases to their superiors, but respond straightaway to counter the attack.

We entirely understand Foreign Minister Alatas' appeal because our overseas diplomats are in immediate contact with the prevailing mood in the country in which they are stationed. Not only are they assumed to be knowledgeable about the situation, they are also expected to be able to anticipate developments and to be sensitive towards them.

It seems that the time has come to end the practice of handing out diplomatic posts as tokens of gratitude for previous services well rendered. The ambassadors that fit our present needs are either career diplomats well versed in the art of diplomacy or whoever -- scholars, journalists or other professionals -- fits the mission and the needs of Indonesia in the country in question.

-- Kompas, Jakarta