Clarification from Ministry of Foreign Affairs

With regard to the news item that appeared in The Jakarta Post on Aug. 26, 2009 entitled, "House Scrutinizes 22 Ambassadorial Candidates", I feel obliged to inform you of the following:

The nominations of new ambassadors to foreign countries become official only after the respective agreements are conveyed by the receiving countries and after the ambassador-designates have undergone fit and proper tests conducted by parliament.

The premature publication of these confirmation proceedings is bound to jeopardize the confirmation process for these individuals. And more importantly it is against generally accepted norms that are respected internationally to report on ambassadorial appointments before the completion of the entire process.

Teuku Faizasyah
Spokesperson
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Jakarta