On the right track<\/p>\n
Early this week, when it was announced that Foreign Minister
\nAli Alatas would undergo heart bypass surgery in Melbourne,
\nAustralia, some people joked that it was further evidence of the
\nsound relations between the two countries.<\/p>\n
But, jokes aside, there actually seems to be some truth to it.
\nAfter all, a few years back, when relations between the two
\ncountries had soured, Australia would have been an unlikely place
\nindeed for a high ranking Indonesian government official to seek
\nmedical treatment.<\/p>\n
Yes, there is no question that at the moment Indonesia-
\nAustralia relations are reaching their highest peak. What is more
\nimportant is that the two countries have done their utmost to
\nmaintain this high profile diplomacy. It is as if the two have
\nonly recently found out that, geographically and historically,
\nthey are destined to be the closest of neighbors, forever.<\/p>\n
As reported recently by the press, even the Armed Forces
\n(ABRI) has decided to send its officers to Australia instead of
\nthe United States for advanced military courses. Although some
\nbelieve the human rights issue kept our officers from studying in
\nthe U.S., there is no denying that the newly found Indonesian-
\nAustralian bond played a significant role in the decision.<\/p>\n
Things have moved fast in the past two years or so, when Prime
\nMinister Paul Keating announced his move-closer-to-Asia policy,
\npaid a visit to Jakarta, and later named Indonesia as the most
\nimportant country for Australia.<\/p>\n
There is no doubt that much of the credit for the closer ties
\nlies in the approaches made by Australian officials, notably
\nKeating, Foreign Minister Gareth Evans and the current Ambassador
\nAllan Taylor. But, one surely should also commend Alatas and
\nAmbassador Sabam Siagian for their role in strengthening the
\nbond.<\/p>\n
And yesterday, as Evans and Coordinating Minister for Industry
\nand Trade Hartarto officially launched the month-long Australia
\nToday Indonesia 94 promotional drive, it is obvious that the two
\ncountries have taken another step forward.<\/p>\n
Yet it is unrealistic to expect that the path to future
\nrelations will be all sweetness and light. Many things still need
\nto be straightened out before both can sit down and relax.<\/p>\n
There are enough indications that the Australian move-closer-
\nto-Asia policy is still mostly confined to the current ruling
\ngovernment. Surveys reveal that the majority of Australians do
\nnot see their country as being a part of Asia.<\/p>\n
The rising anti-Asian sentiment as shown by graffiti in some
\nAustralian cities with messages such as \"Stop Asian Immigration
\nNow\" is another reminder that many Australians still see Asia as
\nan alien continent. And although the current Australian
\ngovernment shows an \"understanding\" on the East Timor issue,
\nthere is no guarantee that problems won't arise in the future.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, from the Indonesian side, although
\nAustralia is now seen by many as a safe and better place to visit
\nand to send children for schooling, most Indonesians remain
\nignorant about that country's politics and system of values.
\nThus, one should not be surprised that outcries in Australia over
\ncertain events in Indonesia elicit a strong response from some
\npeople here, a factor which could eventually sour relations.<\/p>\n
Still, as things stand now, we have reason to be optimistic.
\nWe know we are on the right track and should keep moving in that
\ndirection.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/on-the-right-track-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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