Enviro News Asia, Washington, D.C.– The Government of Indonesia declared a national mourning period following the passing of General (Ret.) Try Soetrisno on Sunday, 1 March 2026, at the age of 90. He previously served as Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia from 1993 to 1998, as Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces, and as Army Chief of Staff.
The government ordered the national flag to be flown at half-mast across Indonesia from 2 to 4 March 2026, including at Indonesian embassies and representative offices abroad. Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi issued instructions to implement the directive nationwide and overseas. Indonesian missions abroad also opened condolence books to allow foreign nationals to express their sympathies.
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington, D.C. immediately lowered the red-and-white flag to half-mast at its chancery located at 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW and at the Ambassador’s residence, Wisma Indonesia, on Tilden Street. The embassy circulated diplomatic notes to U.S. federal government officials, senators, members of Congress, ambassadors, and heads of foreign missions in Washington, D.C., inviting them to convey condolences and sign the condolence book.
Over three days, dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps visited the embassy to offer their respects. Ambassador Indroyono Soesilo and embassy officials received the guests and expressed appreciation for their solidarity.
The practice of written condolences between states dates back centuries and forms part of formal diplomatic correspondence. One of the earliest well-documented examples occurred after the assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln in April 1865. Governments and citizens worldwide conveyed their sympathies, and in 1867 the United States Government Printing Office published an official compilation of condolence messages in a 930-page, gold-embossed volume.
As diplomatic networks expanded in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, providing physical condolence books at embassies became standard protocol when high-ranking state officials passed away. The practice accompanies other gestures of respect, such as flying flags at half-mast.
When Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno, died on 21 June 1970, mourning extended to Washington, D.C. The The Washington Post dedicated extensive coverage to his passing, and the Indonesian Embassy opened a condolence book for members of the public. Similarly, following the death of Elizabeth II in 2022, British embassies worldwide provided condolence books. In Washington, D.C., U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were among the first to sign at the British Embassy, while in Jakarta, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi signed the condolence book at the British Embassy.
In the twenty-first century, digital condolence books have complemented physical ones. After the passing of former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos in 2022, Philippine diplomatic missions provided online platforms for public messages. Nevertheless, embassies continue to maintain physical condolence books due to their ceremonial and symbolic significance.
In Indonesia’s diplomatic practice, the Kementerian Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia consistently instructs its overseas missions to prepare condolence books upon the death of prominent national figures. Missions follow universal diplomatic protocol, including issuing black-bordered diplomatic notes, arranging solemn signing spaces, and returning the completed books to Indonesia. The tradition underscores that condolence books serve not merely as formalities but as instruments of diplomacy that express mutual respect and strengthen bilateral ties even in times of mourning. (*)
