Alatas honored by Australia<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Australian Governor-General Bill Hayden
\nyesterday honored Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas by
\ninvesting him as an Honorary Officer in the Order of Australia.<\/p>\n
The award was given for Alatas' efforts in strengthening the
\noften difficult relations between Jakarta and Canberra.<\/p>\n
"I can think of no one more suitable than Mr. Alatas to
\nreceive such an award, in recognition of the distinguished
\nservice he has given to Australian-Indonesian Relations," Hayden
\nsaid during the ceremony at the State Guest House.<\/p>\n
Hayden arrived yesterday for a five-day visit, which will take
\nhim to the provinces of South Sulawesi and East Kalimantan.
\nHayden previously visited Indonesia in 1987, as foreign minister.<\/p>\n
"Only a few of these honorary awards are given each year to
\nnon-Australians for distinguished service to our country or
\nhumanity at large," Hayden added.<\/p>\n
Alatas is the second Indonesian minister to receive the honor
\nafter Coordinating Minister for Industry and Trade Hartarto.<\/p>\n
Among Alatas' many accomplishments, according Hayden, are the
\nTimor Gap Zone Treaty and the role as co-chairman of the Paris
\nConference, which brought about peace in Cambodia.<\/p>\n
Apart from the award, Hayden's presence further heightens the
\nincreasingly close relations between the two countries as it
\nmarks the first ever state visit to Indonesia by an Australian
\nGovernor-General.<\/p>\n
Later during a dinner reception hosted by President Soeharto
\nat the State Palace, Hayden stressed the importance and benefits
\nof Indonesia-Australian ties. "It is true that there have been
\nuncertainties and misunderstandings in the past. But these have
\nbeen overcome by vision and statesmanship."<\/p>\n
Hayden expressed Australia's desire to contribute further to
\nIndonesia's development, saying: "We want to share in the strong
\neconomic growth of our neighbors, especially Indonesia."<\/p>\n
He praised Indonesia's economic growth, asserting that its
\nsuccess has created peace and stability for the region.<\/p>\n
"Yours was the inspiration for the formation of the
\nAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations, which has done much to
\ncontain differences among the dynamic nations of Southeast Asia."<\/p>\n
Soeharto in his speech noted that the long standing
\nrelationship between the two countries starts all the way back to
\nIndonesia's independence struggle.<\/p>\n
"The Indonesian people will not forget, that as a close
\nneighbor, Australia supported the Indonesian people's struggle in
\ntheir independence," Soeharto said.(mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/alatas-honored-by-australia-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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