Bot takes 'sensitive', global stance on RI-Dutch ties<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Visiting Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Rudolf Bot met with
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri and Minister of Foreign Affairs
\nHassan Wirayuda on Thursday. Taking time off from his busy
\nschedule while in Jakarta, Bot spoke with Suara Pembaruan, Kompas
\nand The Jakarta Post at the Centre for Strategic and
\nInternational Studies in Central Jakarta. The following is an
\nexcerpt of the interview with Bot, who was born in Batavia, as
\nJakarta was formerly known:<\/p>\n
Has the European Union decided whether to attend the Asia-
\nEurope Meeting (ASEM) in Hanoi in October?<\/p>\n
We have a special representative, Mr. Van den Broek, to
\nexplore the situation and to see the member countries' reactions,
\nand to explore the responsibility toward a constructive approach
\nto the problems.<\/p>\n
There will be an informal meeting of ministers of foreign
\naffairs of the 25 member states. There we will decide what we are
\ngoing to do. There is a positive approach to solve this problem.
\nI can only tell you that in principle we are looking for a
\nsolution that will permit us to be present. And, of course, it
\nwill also depend on the ASEAN side and the organizing countries.<\/p>\n
We would like to see some signals also from your side that you
\nare trying to exert some pressure on Myanmar to improve its human
\nrights situation. They all have to do something about Aung San
\nSuu Kyi and its isolated position. So any improvement would be
\nwelcomed, and we would love to see the signals also from the
\ncountries of the region that they are trying to do their best to
\nhelp us. Because I think that human rights is not only a question
\nof Europe, but also a question of global concern, also your
\nconcern and we should tackle this problem together ....<\/p>\n
What is the present status of the Consultative Group on
\nIndonesia (CGI)?<\/p>\n
We have resumed the aid. We have contributed in the meantime
\nmore than five million euros to Indonesia for education, health
\nprojects and infrastructure. We have tried our best and of course
\nwe are quite willing to be helpful. We're scheduling new debt but
\nthe debt from the Netherlands is not the same as many countries.<\/p>\n
There are perceptions that Maluku people in the Netherlands
\nare involved in the conflict in Ambon.<\/p>\n
The Netherlands' foreign policy is based on respect for the
\nterritorial integrity of Indonesia, and that concerns of all
\nconflicts. We had a discussion with a group of Moluccans in the
\nNetherlands who have been living there for a very long time, and
\nin most of the cases ... they participate normally in our
\neveryday life; we are very happy with them and if they have
\ncomplaints we listen to them, but that does not mean that we
\nstimulate movements or whatever it is. That is not our policy.<\/p>\n
How do you see the present relationship between the two
\ncountries?<\/p>\n
The fact is we have a very sensitive relationship. So, on one
\nhand, there is a great interest in Indonesia. And I think in the
\nNetherlands, almost every Dutch person has an Indonesian link,
\neither because his parents were born here or because his family
\nhas been here for one reason or another. I do not know of hardly
\nany Dutch families that do not have some sort of attachment to
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
So there is a great sense of sensitivity on the one hand,
\nespecially on your side, and there is a very great interest on
\ntheir side, a willingness, let's say, to get to know each other
\nbetter and to be helpful. Development aid, culture, whatever we
\ncan do.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, this is a huge country. When we talk about
\neducation, it is still somehow underdeveloped in some parts of
\nthis country. That means also that the younger generation does
\nnot have a great chance to learn about the history in the past,
\nand the way in which we dealt with each other.<\/p>\n
So we are interested in promoting the Netherlands, but we want
\nto do it in such a way that we won't raise suspicion, that we
\ntake into account the sensitivity that exists. So it has to be
\ndone in a careful way, respecting the feelings here. That is a
\nvery difficult task, but that absolutely is the great interest.
\nAt the same time, we realize that the country has so many
\ninhabitants .... There was bitterness, there is determination, it
\nhas to be forgetting, you know, to start with a a clean slate,
\nthen it is easier to restart. There is a great willingness on
\nthat side.<\/p>\n
What do you expect from the meeting with President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri and presidential candidate Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono?<\/p>\n
It is not up to me to say what I expect from them. I think
\nit's the Indonesian people that have to expect something from
\nthem. When I met the President, of course, it was up to the
\nPresident to indicate the subjects she wanted to talk about. And
\nI must say that I was happy to find the issues discussed; many
\nitems from all the situations in the world, education,
\nrelationships between the two countries, the global situation in
\nIraq and how it influences stability in the world.<\/p>\n
We discussed economics, a very wide array of subjects in a
\nvery frank manner, and I was very much impressed by her knowledge
\nand her interest in that subject.<\/p>\n
With Mr. Yudhoyono, we will discuss more about development in
\nIndonesia, so if I can be more direct in my questions, what
\ninterests me is how does a presidential candidate see the future
\nof Indonesia. What are the elements of particular interest, what
\nis his first priority, last priority, and what does he expect to
\ndo in four, five years, because that will also influence our
\nbilateral relationship. How can we contribute again in the most
\nconstructive manner, and also how to channel our development aid?
\nAnd we're looking forward to this meeting. (Bot is scheduled to
\nmeet with Susilo at the Regent Hotel in South Jakarta on Friday.)<\/p>",
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