Australia's views on future Indonesia<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Australia in its foreign policy White Paper
\nreleased yesterday, notes that the continuation of economic
\nliberalization and stability in Indonesia is \"not necessarily
\nassured\" in the post-Soeharto era.<\/p>\n
In its chapter on relations with Indonesia, the White Paper
\nsays bilateral ties are very favorable and that a substantial
\nrelationship is in place across a wide range of fields.<\/p>\n
\"The challenge is to sustain and widen it. This will require
\ncareful management as Indonesia faces a leadership transition
\nafter more than two decades of growth and social change.<\/p>\n
\"In these circumstances, continuing economic liberalization,
\npolitical stability and continuity in foreign policy are not
\nnecessarily assured over the next 15 years, although they are
\nclearly in the interests not only of Indonesia but also Australia
\nand the region,\" the White Paper says.<\/p>\n
The White Paper was officially released in Canberra by
\nAustralian foreign minister Alexander Downer.<\/p>\n
It lays down the principles and priorities which Canberra
\nbelieves should drive Australia's foreign policy for the next 15
\nyears.<\/p>\n
Australia's ambassador to Jakarta, John McCarthy, unveiled it
\nto journalists here yesterday and spoke on salient points of the
\nreport.<\/p>\n
\"The White Paper strongly endorses the priority accorded to
\nthe Asia-Pacific and especially to the countries of East Asia,
\nwith emphasis on forging closer relationships with the major
\npowers of the region ... our neighbor Indonesia, the United
\nStates, Japan and China,\" the ambassador said.<\/p>\n
When asked if the paragraph noting unassured stability and
\neconomic liberalization reflected Australia's wariness toward the
\nleadership transition in Indonesia, McCarthy quickly retorted:
\n\"No.\"<\/p>\n
\"Quite clearly this is talking about a 15-year time frame, I
\ndon't think I'm saying anything which is dramatically
\nstartling ... you talk about it here quite frequently I think,\"
\nhe added.<\/p>\n
The report is made up of 206 paragraphs of which five lengthy
\nones are devoted to bilateral ties with Indonesia.<\/p>\n
It reconfirms Australia's established policy toward Indonesia
\nso far and asserts the view that relations with Indonesia \"will
\nalways of be fundamentally important\".<\/p>\n
The White Paper affirms Australia's support for stability and
\neconomic growth here by engaging all levels -- government,
\nbusiness and society.<\/p>\n
Closer cooperation in shared strategic interests is also cited
\nwith Australia expressing its desire to consolidate and enhance
\nits strategic dialog with Indonesia.<\/p>\n
On the thorny issue of East Timor, the White Paper notes that
\nit \"will remain in shaping Australian public attitudes towards
\nIndonesia and Indonesia's standing internationally\".<\/p>\n
\"Australia will continue to encourage the protection of human
\nrights and an internationally acceptable solution to the problem
\nof East Timor.<\/p>\n
\"While the overall administration of the province is primarily
\na matter for the Indonesian government to determine, the
\nAustralian government considers that an improved human rights
\nsituation and a greater role in the administration of the
\nprovince for indigenous East Timorese would contribute to an
\noverall resolution of the issue,\" the report said.<\/p>\n
McCarthy stressed yesterday the paragraphs concerning
\nAustralia's general view on human rights issues and foreign
\npolicy.<\/p>\n
The White Paper describes human rights as an inseparable part
\nof foreign policy and acknowledges that Australia's support for
\nsuch issues could create difficulties in various bilateral ties.<\/p>\n
But it maintains that the approach \"must be realistic in
\nassessing what can and cannot be achieved ... Linking human
\nrights to trade serves neither Australia's trade nor its human
\nrights interests\". (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/australias-views-on-future-indonesia-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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