VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry summoned the German Embassy Head on December 20 to deliver a protest over information on the diplomatic institution's members being present at the secretariat of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI).

"At the meeting, the German Embassy head confirmed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the presence of an Embassy staff at the organization's secretariat," the Ministry noted in a statement received here, Monday.

However, the diplomat clarified that the members was present there on their own initiative and without orders from or the knowledge of their superiors.

"The head of the German Embassy representative has apologized and expressed regret over the incident," the ministry stated.

Earlier, information circulated on the FPI's claim of representatives of the German Embassy having paid a visit to them for the objective of "staying in touch" at the organization's central secretariat in the Petamburan area, Central Jakarta.

The news came shortly after six FPI members died in clashes with the police.

"(The staff's arrival) does not reflect the policy of the German Government and Embassy and strongly rejects the impression that the arrival of the embassy staff is a form of German support for the organization," head of representative of the German Embassy affirmed.

In its statement, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that the German Embassy had requested the diplomatic staff involved to return to their country as a form of responsibility for their actions and provided clarification to the German government. (antaranews)