Public diplomacy

I write in response to Roger Smith's letter to the editor of March 31 entitled Elitist diplomacy.

The suggestion that I only speak to elite forums in Indonesia is wrong. I accept many invitations on a regular basis to a wide variety of forums including media conferences, lecture series, launches and open public forums. These are attended by a broad spectrum of Indonesians and expatriates from all walks of life.

In regards to Smith's second point about the Australian Embassy not hosting film festivals in Indonesia, it is a shame that Smith was not able to attend the free, week long film festival that the Australian Embassy hosted in January this year. The successful event which showcased Australian film excellence was advertised in the Indonesian and English print and broadcast media and attracted over 5,000 members of the Indonesian and expatriate community.

DAVID RITCHIE Ambassador Australian Embassy Jakarta