Howard to make third visit to Jakarta<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Australian Prime Minister John Howard is scheduled to arrive in
\nJakarta on Valentine's Day for talks with President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri, marking a new turn in the love-hate relationship
\nbetween the two countries.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian visit was abruptly added to Howard's overseas
\nitinerary, which was initially only for the United States and
\nEngland.<\/p>\n
Responding to The Jakarta Post, foreign ministry spokesman
\nMarty Natalegawa said on Tuesday said that Iraq would be one of
\nthe topics discussed by Megawati and Howard.<\/p>\n
"There are several bilateral problems, and of course issues of
\ncommon interest will be discussed," Marty said.<\/p>\n
He said the Jakarta visit on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15 was at
\nCanberra's request. It will be Howard's third visit to
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
"We have responded to the request positively and are preparing
\nfor the visit," Marty said.<\/p>\n
During his two-day visit, Howard is also scheduled to meet
\nwith top state officials. It is not known at this stage whether
\nthe prime minister will meet with Indonesian House of
\nRepresentatives legislators, who refused to receive him during
\nhis last official visit here in February last year.<\/p>\n
Marty said Howard would also follow up on Canberra's pledge to
\nassist Indonesia, especially Bali, in the wake of the Oct. 12
\nblasts that killed over 190 people, many of whom were Australian.<\/p>\n
Howard's visit to the U.S. and England was announced a few
\nweeks back, but his plan to visit Jakarta was only revealed on
\nMonday.<\/p>\n
The change of plan comes against a backdrop of criticism from
\nMinister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda, who criticized
\nCanberra's support for U.S. plans to attack Iraq.<\/p>\n
In an interview with Australian Broadcasting Corp. recently,
\nHassan said that Australia's policy on Iraq was not along the
\nsame lines as Southeast Asia's.<\/p>\n
"The Australian government's move to immediately support the
\nU.S. in its grievances against Iraq would be viewed by our public
\nas a bit too enthusiastic," Hassan said.<\/p>\n
"In the region of Southeast Asia or East Asia we support a
\npeaceful resolution to this crisis. We do not support war as a
\nmeans to settle the problem."<\/p>\n
Relations between Indonesia and Australia have been strained
\nin past years after the separation of East Timor from Indonesia
\nin 1999, which was supported by Australia.<\/p>\n
Since then there have been efforts to mend ties between the
\ntwo countries. However, tension remains as Jakarta has continued
\nto question the goodwill of Howard in maintaining relations
\nbetween the two countries.<\/p>\n
The last hiccup occurred when Australian authorities raided
\nthe homes of several Indonesian citizens in a crackdown on the
\nJamaah Islamiyah terrorist network late last year.<\/p>\n
Although police of the two countries teamed up well in
\ninvestigating the Bali bombing, anti-Australian sentiment
\napparently remains prevalent among Indonesian politicians.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/howard-to-make-third-visit-to-jakarta-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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