RI raises diplomatic ties with South Africa

RI raises diplomatic ties with South Africa

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has raised its diplomatic ties with
South Africa to a full ambassadorial level although both counties
have yet to appoint their respective official ambassadors.

A joint communique on the issue was signed on Friday by the
chief representatives of Indonesia and South Africa at the United
Nations, Nugroho Wisnumurti and Vernon R.W. Steward respectively,
the Antara news agency reported from New York.

The communique said that the opening of diplomatic ties was
based on the wishes of the two countries to strengthen their
friendly ties and bilateral cooperation, mutual respect for the
other's sovereignty, independence and integrity and non-
interference in the other's domestic affairs.

Indonesia has already opened a consulate in South Africa
chiefly to look after the interests of entrepreneurs from both
countries as both countries are resolved to promote economic and
trade ties.

Steward after the signing ceremony said that despite the
distance between the two countries, he is confident that economic
ties could be enhanced particularly given Indonesia's rapid
economic development.

South Africa also intends to play an active role in the Non-
Aligned Movement (NAM) which it joined recently after its first
ever non-racial elections, he said.

The movement, currently chaired by Indonesia, was at the
forefront in the international campaign to end the apartheid
political system in South Africa, and has supported the struggle
of the African National Congress (ANC), the faction of the newly
elected president Nelson Mandela.

Steward said that it may be sometime before South Africa
appoints a full ambassador for its mission in Indonesia given
that the nation is now preoccupied with the reconstruction of the
nation. South Africa may instead appoint a non-resident
ambassador as its representative in Indonesia, he added. (emb)