Sir, - I have been resident in Indonesia for a number of years and remained here throughout the recent mayhem and rioting. The decision to stay was reached after telephone conversations with other expatriates in this semi-rural suburb of Jakarta. Also, since I am on a walking frame due to a broken hip in a recent accident, I thought that the pushing and shoving in a crowded airport was not for me.
On Sunday morning, May 17th, I received an unexpected early telephone call. I was amazed to hear the caller announce himself as Richard O'Brien, the Irish Ambassador to Australia - Indonesia falls within his bailiwick. He told me he had come up from Canberra to help out the Irish Consul and was contacting as many Irish citizens as he could. He had arranged evacuation facilities via the Dutch Ambassador with KLM leaving Sunday night.
I told him of my decision to stay and, on hearing of my mobility problem, he offered to have assistance standing by at the airport. Also since it was Sunday, he offered credit facilities to cover the costs. All this from the Irish Ambassador in person.
I was very impressed (and flattered) by this degree of personal attention from His Excellency, the Irish Ambassador, but equally impressed that he had decided to put his own person in the danger of the front line, staying in a hotel without the protection of Embassy walls or guards, in order to assist Irish citizens to safety.
I would like to express my appreciation to the Irish Diplomatic Corps, and H.E. Richard O'Brien in particular, for these efforts on our behalf. - Yours, etc., F. J. Fitzgerald,
Jakarta, Indonesia.