Two new officials in Pejambon

Two new officials in Pejambon

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas installed
yesterday two new top officials of his office on Jl. Pejambon:
Abdul Irsan became Secretary-General and Dadang Sukandar became
Director General of Protocol and Consular Affairs.

Both men are career diplomats.

Irsan replaces Soewarno Danusutedjo, who is retiring after 30
years of service at the Ministry of Foreign affairs. Dadang
replaces Irsan as Director General.

As Secretary-General, Irsan is responsible for the
administrative, organizational and technical aspects of the
foreign ministry's activities.

In a ceremony attended by the ministry's most senior
officials, Alatas underlined the importance of Irsan's position.

"It can be said that the success of the foreign ministry's
endeavors begins with the orderly fostering of administration and
organization," he said.

Irsan had served as Director General for Protocol and Consular
Affairs since December 1993.

Dadang was previously Indonesia's ambassador to Ethiopia and
Eritrea.

In his address, Alatas reminded Dadang that, as the foreign
ministry's director general of protocol and consular affairs, he
was also the head of state protocol.

"The practice of protocol in diplomatic activities is always
sensitive in nature, and any mistake could have far-reaching
political implications," the minister said.

Alatas said he welcomed the current review of the Consular
Manual and the updating of the 1969 Diplomatic and Consular
Guidebook. (mds)