Mutual relations with 'Polska' deserve maintenance ...<\/p>\n
Soeryo Winoto, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post,
\nWarsaw, soeryo@thejakartapost.com<\/p>\n
Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski's recent statement to
\nvisiting journalists from Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand that
\nPoland is not Euro-centric -- despite its imminent accession to
\nthe European Union on May 1 -- should not be dismissed as mere
\ntrade rhetoric.<\/p>\n
His official visit to the three ASEAN countries from Feb. 21
\nto Feb. 28 could become a milestone for stronger political and
\neconomic relations between Poland and Asia-Pacific countries,
\nespecially ASEAN.<\/p>\n
Despite his country's entry into the European Union and good
\nrelations with the U.S. and NATO members, the Asia-Pacific region
\nalso fits in with Kwasniewski's concept of \"building the future\"
\nof Poland.<\/p>\n
Since the fall of the communist regime in 1989, \"Poland is now
\nan open and democratic country. Democracy does work here,\" he
\ntold journalists last Thursday.<\/p>\n
For Indonesia, the revival of friendly relations with Poland
\n-- underlined by President Megawati Soekarnoputri's visit in
\nApril last year -- mutually benefits the two countries.<\/p>\n
Megawati was the first Indonesian president to visit Poland
\nsince her father, former president Sukarno, visited Warsaw 40
\nyears ago.<\/p>\n
During Megawati's visit several deals were signed by the two
\ngovernments, including cooperation in the fields of culture and
\neducation, a joint declaration between the Indonesian minister of
\ntrade and the Polish minister for the economy.<\/p>\n
A memorandum of understanding on air transportation as well as
\njoint declarations by both countries' chambers of commerce and
\ntrade were also signed. Unfortunately, Poland has had to cancel
\nplanned joint commissions on trade, technology and economics
\nfollowing its plan to enter the EU.<\/p>\n
However, the deals signed in Warsaw during Megawati's visit
\nare expected to become a legal umbrella for further ties.<\/p>\n
In education, the initiative of the Adam Mickiewics University
\nin Poznan (some 200 kilometers west of Warsaw) to open an
\nIndonesian study program between this year deserves a proper
\nresponse from the Indonesian government and relevant
\ninstitutions.<\/p>\n
The university has also appointed an Indonesian studying in
\nthe Academy of Fine Arts in Poznan, Teija Gumilar, to teach
\nBahasa Indonesia at its Poznan campus, which is well-regarded in
\nEurope. Providing texts on Indonesia, and the creation of a
\nstudent or academic exchange program between reputed Indonesian
\nuniversities and Adam Mickiewics should follow.<\/p>\n
In the economy, the two countries see the opportunity to
\ndevelop bilateral trade. For Poland, Indonesia with more than 200
\nmillion people is an attractive and promising market, especially
\nfor dairy produce. Meanwhile, bilateral trade turnover shows the
\ndominance of and steady growth for Indonesian goods.<\/p>\n
In 1999, total bilateral trade reached a value of US$209
\nmillion and hit $219 million by 2002. Meanwhile in that period
\nimports from Poland were only valued at about $16 million. From
\nJanuary to June last year Indonesian exports to Poland reached
\n$121.4 million, whereas Poland's exports reached only $19.8
\nmillion.<\/p>\n
Polish Minister of Trade Tadeusz Iwinski, who is also foreign
\npolicy advisor to the Polish prime minister, said during the past
\nsix years Poland had suffered from a $240 million deficit in its
\nbilateral trade with Indonesia.<\/p>\n
It's no wonder Kwasniewski reportedly plans to also bring a
\nlarge trade delegation to Indonesia, including government
\nofficials and businessmen, who will seek ways to improve the
\nbalance. Along with dairy products, transportation equipment,
\nchemicals and machinery are on the agenda.<\/p>\n
After Megawati's short visit to Poland last year, Indonesia
\nwill soon enjoy an export credit scheme offered by Poland for the
\npurchase of military helicopters and light aircraft called sky
\ntrucks.<\/p>\n
Polish Secretary of State and First Deputy Minister of
\nNational Defense Janusz Zemke confirmed the credit export scheme,
\nsaying his government had provided an $18 million credit line for
\nthe purchase of (Polish) helicopters, sky trucks and a radar
\nsystem. Poland saw Indonesia as a nation that deserved such aid,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
\"Your country is a reliable country, which is striving for
\ndemocracy. We treat your country very seriously,\" Zemke said,
\nreferring to military trade embargo on Indonesia.<\/p>\n
He appreciated Indonesia's serious efforts to deal with
\nterrorism, illustrated by its hunting down and detention of Bali
\nbombing suspects.<\/p>\n
Another reliable source in Warsaw said the export credit line
\ncould amount to $135 million, the first batch of which -- $26
\nmillion -- would be for the purchase of 10 helicopters and sky
\ntrucks - reportedly for the Indonesian Police. The second batch
\n-- a total of $63 million -- would be for non-strategic (non-
\ndefense) projects in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The signing of the first batch of export credit deals is
\nscheduled to be made during Kwasniewski's visit to Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Despite its priorities in the EU, Poland has a commitment to
\nNATO and military ties with the U.S.<\/p>\n
On April 18, last year, it purchased 48 F-16 Falcon jet
\nfighters (involving $3.5 billion) from the Lockheed Martin
\nCorporation, a large U.S. defense contractor. The decision,
\nbelieved to the biggest defense order issued by an Eastern or
\nCentral European country, was made after Poland's EU accession
\nwas approved. Prime Minister Leszek Miller said at the time that
\n\"We are opening a new phase in Polish-American relations.\" The
\nties became closer after Poland sent troops to Iraq.<\/p>\n
These moves have not stopped Poland cooperating with Asian
\ncountries, including Indonesia, in the field of international
\npolitics. The Polish government's wish to become member of the
\nAsia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) indicates its strong interest in the
\nregion.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's significant role in ASEAN, the Organization of
\nIslamic Conferences (OIC) as well its role in the Non-Alignment
\nMovement and the United Nations make it an attractive diplomatic
\nally for Poland.<\/p>\n
From Indonesia's perspective, Poland is a member of NATO and
\nsoon will be a member of the EU, with influence in both bodies.
\nIndonesia could use its good relations with Poland to help its
\nown international diplomatic efforts.<\/p>\n
Both Indonesia and Poland will have presidential elections in
\nthe next two years. Indonesia may get a new president if Megawati
\nfails to win the vote, while Poland must have a new president as
\nKwasniewski cannot be reelected for a third term of office.<\/p>\n
Whoever the leaders are, the links between the countries have
\nbeen made. Hopefully, the connections between our two nations can
\nbe maintained and strengthened.<\/p>",
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