'Waiting in the White House Lobby' Article Becomes Sensation

Liputan6.com, Jakarta A recently published article titling ‘Waiting in the White House Lobby’ written by a Lecturer in Comparative Politics in the Department of Politics and International Studies at the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies, Michael Buehler raises criticism among Indonesian nationwide audience as the commentary alleges the meeting that was held between Indonesian President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo and The United States’ President Barack Obama during his recent state visit was organized by a broker company where lobbyist was assigned to assure the occurrence of such diplomatic undertaking.

His writing, which was published on November 6, 2015 has become a sensation back home. In trying to prevent such opinion from creating a surge of negative outlook among general population in terms of how they view their President Jokowi, Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, Budi Bowoleksono immediately issued a statement clarifying such claim made by Michael Buehler through his writing.

“The speculation which has circulated among both nationwide and worldwide audience regarding the involvement of a broker and lobbyist for the facilitation of the meeting held for Indonesian President Jokowi and the U.S President Barack Obama lacks the ground necessitated for it to become a concrete evidence justifying such claim,” Budi wrote to Liputan6.com, Saturday (7/11/2015).

“President Obama has evidently expressed his interest of having President Jokowi coming into the U.S to discuss furtherance of bilateral relationship during APEC event held in Beijing November last year,” he further clarified.

The legitimate invitation letter issued by President Barack Obama on March 16 2015 comes as another proof clarifying and justifying the fact that President Jokowi was indeed invited by The U.S and deepen tie through bilateral talks held in The U.S. (Akp/Tnt)