Brazilian Embassy Reluctant to Respond to RI's Note of Protest  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Brazilian Embassy in Jakarta is reluctant to respond to Indonesia's note of protest sent to Brazilian President Dilma Roussef over the postponement of Indonesian Ambassador Toto Riyantos credential presentation last month.

"I do not want to comment on it (note of protest). I am sorry," Brazilian Deputy Ambassador to Indonesia Leonardo Monteiro said as quoted by Antara News.

Leonardo was also reluctant to comment on the future prospects of Indonesia-Brazil relations.

He added that he had no authority to comment on the continuation of relations between Brazil and Indonesia, which are currently strained.

Tensions had arisen between the two countries with regards to Indonesias plan to execute a death penalty order for the second time for a Brazilian death-row convict.

"I cannot comment on that matter because I do not have the authority do so," Leonardo remarked.

The sudden postponement of the credential presentation when Ambassador-designate to Brazil Toto Riyanto had already arrived at the Brazilian Presidential Palace is not acceptable to Indonesia.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had directly ordered the summoning of the Ambassador-designate on the same day.

"Why I have recalled the Indonesian ambassador to Brazil is a matter of the state and nations dignity. It is a big problem," Jokowi stated.

In the meantime, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had deeply regretted the actions of the Government of Brazil to abruptly postpone the presentation of the credentials by the Ambassador-designate of Indonesia to Brazil Toto Riyanto, after being formally invited to present his credentials at a ceremony in the Presidential Palace of Brazil at 9.00 am (Brazilian time), on February 20.

"The manner in which the Foreign Minister of Brazil suddenly informed us of the postponement of the presentation of credentials by the Ambassador designate of Indonesia to Brazil, when the Ambassador designate was already at the palace, is unacceptable to Indonesia," read a statement on the ministrys official website.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had also summoned the Brazilian Ambassador to Indonesia on February 20 at 22.00 pm to convey in the strongest terms possible, its protest against the unfriendly act of the Government of Brazil and also presented a formal note of protest.

The Government of Indonesia had also recalled the Ambassador designate of Indonesia from Brazil until a time is determined by the Government of Brazil for the presentation of his credentials.

As a democratic and sovereign state with its own sovereign, independent and impartial justice system, no foreign country or party can and may interfere with the implementation of Indonesias prevailing laws within its jurisdiction, including the enforcement of laws related to address drug trafficking, the ministry had said in the statement.

ANTARA NEWS