President Approves Ambassador Dino's Resignation

Jakarta (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has approved Dino Pati Djalal's resignation as Indonesian ambassador to the United States, allowing him to focus on the ruling Democratic Party's convention to select its presidential candidate for the elections. "My application to resign as an ambassador has been approved. But I will resign officially in December or January. I still have to go to the United States to handle the diplomatic process, say farewell, and so on," Dino said while visiting the Antara news agency's office here on Wednesday. "God willing, in April (2014), I will go all out for the (presidential) campaign," he stated. Dino remarked that he had tendered his resignation to the president after he was registered as a participant in the party's convention in August 2013. "I gave careful consideration to my admission as one of the participants of the party's convention. I was contacted by President Yudhoyono in February and made up my mind in August," he noted. "So I had six months to decide whether or not to accept it," he added. Dino said his resignation from his current post reflects his commitment to avoid being a half-hearted leader. "When I was the president's special aide for six years and worked for the government for 27 years, I gained a lot of experience, so I would not be surprised about winning a higher position," he explained. Asked to comment on his chances of winning the convention among the seven participants, he claimed that all participants have an equal chance. "When President Yudhoyono contacted me, he assured me that there would be no favorite child or crown prince. Everyone has an equal chance at the convention," he stated. Dino is one of seven contenders participating in the party's convention. Whoever is chosen at the primary will represent the party in the 2014 presidential election. A civil servant is required by law to resign his or her position while running for office. (*)