Message from Ambassador of France<\/p>\n
On July 14 -- French National Day --, a crucial moment in our
\nhistory which has become today a universal heritage, I am very
\nhappy to convey a message of friendship to Indonesia and to the
\nIndonesian people on behalf of France and the French people.<\/p>\n
This occasion is even more pleasant as the bilateral relations
\nbetween Indonesia and France have continuously strengthened in
\nthe previous 12 months. Following the meeting between President
\nSoeharto and the President of the French Republic last year, the
\nintensity of our political exchanges have gradually reached the
\nlevel required by our will to work together. Indonesia, one of
\nthe pillar countries of Southeast Asia, is a privileged partner
\nwithin the framework of relations between Europe and Asia.<\/p>\n
In recent months, there have been many high-level political
\nand military exchanges. French ministers have visited Jakarta,
\nand we have had the pleasure of welcoming eminent Indonesian
\ncabinet ministers to France. Most recently, on the occasion of
\nthe Salon du Bourget (the Paris Air Show) several ministers
\nleading an important Indonesian delegation had the opportunity to
\nmeet their newly appointed French counterparts, and could
\nestablish warm and constructive ties.<\/p>\n
At the start of 1997, 3,000 former French government sponsored
\nIndonesian students formed an alumni association, the Ikatan
\nAlumni Perancis di Indonesia. Gathering under their chairman,
\nMinister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto, this association
\nprovides a venue for colleagues to nurture and sustain long
\nfriendships. The community should be the active core of an entity
\nwhich will promote interplay with all Indonesians interested in
\nour country. The alumni have already received recognition from
\nthe highest authorities for their original and effective
\ncontributions to the Indonesian Development Plan.<\/p>\n
In April 1998, a prestigious fair presenting the latest French
\ntechnology will take place in Jakarta. It will showcase the know-
\nhow of the French high-technology industry which has already
\noften cooperated with its Indonesian counterparts. This
\ninitiative demonstrates France's keen interest in the great
\neconomic and human potential of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The strong increase in our bilateral trade justifies such an
\ninitiative. French exports to Indonesia recorded a 26 percent
\nincrease in 1996. This result is due mainly to equipment
\ndeliveries, especially machinery, electrical, electronic and
\ntelecommunications equipment. On our side, French imports from
\nIndonesia reached a record of 5.1 billion French francs
\n(approximately US$1 billion). Indonesian sales are focusing in
\ntextile and garments, furniture, plywood or electronic
\nappliances. The establishment of French companies is continuing
\nat a rapid pace: there are today over 180 French firms operating
\nin Indonesia. Many small and medium sized companies are now
\nbecoming aware of the numerous opportunities in the Indonesian
\nmarketplace. French investments which are already significant in
\nthe fields of energy, banking or chemistry, thus should reach
\nquickly the level they have achieved in several other countries
\nof the southern hemisphere which bear the same characteristics of
\ndynamism and vitality.<\/p>\n
Cultural cooperation with Indonesia during the past year has
\nproduced a myriad assortment of cultural events. The arts have
\nbeen honored by a series of spectacular events organized by the
\nFrench Cultural Centers in Indonesia. Several visiting French
\nartists have even decided to produce their artistic creations in
\nassociation with Indonesians, translating the very idea of
\ndialog. The group, Temps Fort Theatre, has created the play
\nL'Epopee de Gilgamesh with comedians from Surabaya, and is now
\ntouring Europe. In a few weeks, choreographer Olivier Patey will
\nbe performing a ballet with a cast of young dancers from Jakarta.
\nThe first French Film Festival, which took place in Jakarta last
\nyear, attracted a wide Indonesian audience. This initial success
\nwill be followed in December 1997 by another film festival on a
\ngrander scale. Bound to a multipolar world which is eager to keep
\nits own wealth and diversity by allowing the expression of
\ndifferent cultures, France supports the initiative of Indonesia
\nin the development of its own film production and industry.
\nTherefore, we have offered to support the production of an
\nIndonesian movie extracted from the work of Putu Wijaya,
\nTelegram.<\/p>\n
Scientific cooperation has continued in the various fields of
\nvulcanology and geophysics. Business management and software
\nengineering education programs are ongoing at the University of
\nIndonesia and the Institute of Technology in Bandung.<\/p>\n
The quality of our accomplishments, the fullness of our common
\nperspectives, moves me to express a determined optimism. However,
\nwe should go on further. We are now only reaching the level of
\nquality due to our long and trusting relationship, the confidence
\nwe have built among ourselves and the stature and influence of
\nour two countries in today's world. Raising the bar higher each
\nyear enables our cooperation to achieve greater mutual benefits
\nfor our two nations. I do it passionately for Indonesia inspires
\nus.<\/p>\n
Last but not least, I wish to express my sincere and special
\nthanks to the editors of The Jakarta Post for the excellent
\ncooperation between their newspaper and the Embassy of France.<\/p>",
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