Friends down under<\/p>\n
It was hailed as a \"new era\" of relations between Indonesia and
\nAustralia. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Australian Prime Minister
\nJohn Howard both came out of their meeting in Canberra on Monday
\nbeaming with mutual praise and confidence over the future of ties
\nbetween the often spatting neighbors.<\/p>\n
Susilo's visit was in itself historic, being only the third
\ntime an Indonesian leader has visited its southern neighbor. The
\nPresident's trip to Australia so early in his administration
\nunderlines the importance Jakarta places on the relationship with
\nCanberra. It is hoped that his counterpart recognizes this fact
\nas a major turning point in bilateral relations.<\/p>\n
While Monday's summit serves as an important catalyst for
\nfuture cooperation, it should be noted, however, that even
\nwithout direct government intervention, ties between the nations
\nhad already solidified in the most important of areas: people-to-
\npeople relationships.<\/p>\n
Tens of thousands of Indonesians and Australians exchange
\nvisits annually whether for tourism, education, cultural or
\nbusiness purposes.<\/p>\n
Jakarta, Sydney, Bali, Melbourne, Yogyakarta, the Gold Coast,
\namong others, are familiar destinations for the two peoples.
\nSeeing an Indonesian in Perth is as common as seeing one in
\nSingapore or Kuala Lumpur.<\/p>\n
Hence, rather than the formal communiques paving the way for a
\nbroader relationship, it is the informal exchanges which have
\nbeen the bedrock of this relationship. And that is how it is
\nsupposed to be.<\/p>\n
A sense of kinship was felt when Australians opened their
\nhearts and wallets to help victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami and
\nNias earthquake.<\/p>\n
Canberra showed that it is not only hasty in making things
\npolitically difficult for Jakarta, but also quick to lend a hand
\nin times of need.<\/p>\n
The contribution and sacrifice of the Australian people in
\nhelping victims of the natural disaster is much appreciated.<\/p>\n
Another noteworthy outcome of the summit was Canberra's
\naffirmation that it would not support separatist groups in
\nIndonesia and would respect the country's territorial integrity.<\/p>\n
The signing of an agreement to that end, and Howard's
\nstatement that he wished to see the problem of separatist
\nmovements in Aceh and Papua resolved \"amicably\", hopefully, lays
\nto rest the nagging view here of Australia's hidden motives and
\nits creeping jurisdiction into the archipelago.<\/p>\n
A genuinely positive and constructive relationship should also
\nsuffice in the absence of a formal security treaty. Enhanced
\ncooperation in the field of defense and security forms a strong
\nenough backbone for synergy in areas of counter-terrorism and
\nantismuggling -- whether contraband or human.<\/p>\n
Susilo's announcement that Indonesia would lobby for
\nAustralia's admission into the inaugural East Asia Summit later
\nthis year should come as no surprise.<\/p>\n
The move was not a particular gesture toward Canberra as the
\ninitiative was well underway to include Australia along with New
\nZealand and India in this newly established forum which would
\ninclude the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian
\nNations with China, South Korea and Japan.<\/p>\n
It is the Indonesian foreign ministry's conviction that such a
\nforum at its inception should include all the major geographical
\nplayers in the region so the forum does not simply emulate the
\nalready established ASEAN plus Three meetings.<\/p>\n
Based on its own merits one could argue whether Australia
\nmerits a place in a grouping of truly Asian countries. Canberra,
\nespecially during Howard's administration, has acted somewhat
\nindifferently toward its Asian \"identity\". It has found
\ndifficulty reconciling its European heritage with the realities
\nof its geographic location.<\/p>\n
Many of its diplomatic initiatives -- including its refusal to
\nsign the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation -- has not
\nendeared itself to its Asian neighbors.<\/p>\n
Jakarta is taking a risk in taking pains to include a country
\nin a forum (the East Asia Summit) that that country itself does
\nnot seem interested in joining.<\/p>\n
In this respect we urge Canberra to show more conviction in
\nbeing a responsible member of a neighborhood which is, by way of
\nmigration, the origin of a significantly growing number of its
\npopulation.<\/p>\n
Relations between Indonesia and Australia have been subject to
\nemotional issues for too long; tantrums and misperceptions
\nsparked by psychological nuances.<\/p>\n
Future disagreements will inevitably arise in the future. But
\nif Australia can come to terms with its identity and leaders --
\nin government and parliament -- in both capitals approach their
\nrelationship with sobriety, the potential of bilateral ties can
\ntruly be fulfilled.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/friends-down-under-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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