Ambassadors Roundtable
October 16, 2007
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Summary
As part of the Ambassador Roundtable Series on International Collaboration to Combat Terrorism and Insurgencies, The Homeland Security Policy Institute and the International Center for Terrorism Studies co-hosted Indonesian Ambassador Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat on October 16, 2007.
Ambassador Parnohadiningrat detailed the nature of the terrorist threat in Indonesia. Investigations by law enforcement agencies in the country have discovered cooperation among different terrorist groups. In view of this, the Indonesian government has undertaken legislative and investigative actions. In doing so, the Ambassador emphasized that the country strives to preserve the civil liberties of its citizens. At the regional level, Indonesia continues to cooperate with other countries of Southeast Asia to strengthen legal frameworks for combating terrorism. On a global level, the Indonesian government has cooperated with the United Nations, noting its pivotal role in global efforts to combat international terrorism. During the Question and Answer period, the Ambassador stressed the need to win hearts and minds. Frank Cilluffo, Director of the Homeland Security Policy Institute, in turn raised the need to come up with an effective way to decouple ideology and religion. Also discussed was the Indonesian government’s rehabilitation program, intended to re-integrate former terrorists into the mainstream.
Full Text of the Ambassador's Speech
Ambassador Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat
Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat has served as Indonesia’s ambassador to the United States since January 13, 2006. Sudjadnan graduated with a degree in international relations from Gajah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in 1978, and the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University in the United States (1997). A career member of Indonesia’s Foreign Service since 1981, Sudjadnan has more than two decades of experience as a diplomat. He has held a number of portfolios, including serving from 1996-1998 as minister counselor at Indonesia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City; in 1999 as the Secretary for the Task Force on the Implementation of the East Timor Referendum; from 1999-2001 as director for international organizations; and from 2001-2002 as Indonesia’s ambassador to Australia and Vanuatu. Immediately before coming to Washington, DC, he spent four years as the secretary general of the Department of Foreign Affairs from 2002-2006. As secretary general, he served as senior official meeting leader for both the Asia Africa Summit and ASEAN. In addition, he chaired the Third Non-Proliferation Treaty Preparatory Committee meeting during the treaty’s 2005 review.
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The Ambassadors Roundtable Series is designed to provide Ambassadors to the United States and their key diplomatic staff with a forum to discuss current and future counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts on a regional or country-specific basis. In an effort to draw upon various insights and experiences, the Ambassadors Roundtable Series builds upon and institutionalizes efforts over the past two years to engage in a dialogue with members of the international community, policy makers, and practitioners.
