Where's my porridge? Susilo asks

It is already after nine on a Friday morning and experiencing the uneasy sensation of missing breakfast guests gathered in the auditorium of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building are shifting in their seats, not least guest speaker President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"I hear a lot of foreign policy, I see many foreign policy experts. But Pak Hassan, where is my breakfast?" the President said putting his host, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda, on the spot.

The President blurted out his remark before opening the latest event in the Foreign Policy Breakfast series, which Hassan regularly holds as part of his public diplomacy campaign.

As is with tradition, participants struggled through the morning traffic, mostly foregoing breakfast, knowing that the host would serve the meal. Only, unlike the usual gathering, this time around Hassan expanded the forum and brought in President Yudhoyono to give the opening address.

In the past, the participants were limited to politicians, scholars, activists, religious leaders and journalists but never the President himself. His presence meant a delay in serving breakfast.

Friday was a special occasion for Hassan and his staff: The gathering marked the 60th anniversary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ministry also opened a photo exhibition depicting the history of Indonesian diplomacy in the making, going back to the early years of the republic, when diplomacy played a central role in the struggle for independence and for international recognition in the late 1940s.

Not to be outdone by the President, Hassan said he had been asked on several occasions what the difference was between a foreign policy breakfast and Continental and American breakfasts.

The foreign policy breakfast, he told the audience, was less expensive but more effective.

And, what was on that menu that morning?

About one hour later, after the President gave his off-the- cuff speech, the 100-or-so guests finally had the satisfaction of seeing placed before them hot dishes of bubur ayam (chicken porridge). -- Endy M. Bayuni