President Susilo's breakthrough visit to Australia<\/p>\n
Bela Kusumah Kasim, Melbourne<\/p>\n
In October 2003, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono -- who at that time
\nwas coordinating minister for political and security affairs --
\nappeared in a public forum at the Sydney Myer Asia Centre. The
\nforum was jointly organized by ABC Television and Asialink in
\nMelbourne. The master of ceremonies introduced Susilo to the
\naudiences as Mr. Clean, and as one of the best candidates for the
\n2004 Indonesian presidential election.<\/p>\n
Australian businesspeople in the audience responded positively
\nwhen Susilo described the need for Australian investors to help
\nthe Indonesian economy to grow and his determination to eradicate
\ncorruption, collusion and nepotism, or KKN as it is called in
\nIndonesia. When he was told that more then 145 million eligible
\nIndonesian voters would like to know just how clean he really
\nwas, Susilo smiled and answered diplomatically: \"I will try to do
\nmy best and for me it's better to answer by proving it in
\naction.\"<\/p>\n
When answering a question on how he would tackle a fragile
\nAustralian-Indonesia relationship, his reply seemed to support
\nAustralian Prime Minister John Howard's political stance. He
\nstated that if he became president of Indonesia he would bring
\nbilateral relations closer.<\/p>\n
When Susilo was declared winner of the first direct
\npresidential election in Indonesia in September last year,
\nmillions of supporters hailed him as a new leader who would put
\nthe Indonesian economy back on track and crack down on government
\nofficials who were continuing to embezzle state funds during
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri's tenure.<\/p>\n
For Howard, improved bilateral relations with one of
\nAustralia's closest neighbors would be politically fruitful as
\nhis government had been consistently criticized by the opposition
\nfor not doing enough to engage Australia's neighbors.<\/p>\n
From an Australian political standpoint, Susilo's visit to
\nAustralia last month was a high point in Howard's foreign policy
\nachievements. Despite criticism from political opponents in both
\ncountries, Howard proved that he could rebuild the relationship
\nwith Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The President's visit coincided with criticism from Malaysian
\nPrime Minister Abdullah Badawi that Australian foreign policy is
\noverly disposed to U.S. interests. Howard did not need to
\nrespond; the criticism was buried by headlines in the Australian
\npress about the importance of Susilo's visit.<\/p>\n
The Age wrote PM hails pact with Indonesia, and the front page
\nof The Australian read SBY Looks South To New Era.<\/p>\n
Howard's political foe, the leader of the Australian Labor
\nParty, Kim Beazley, had no option but to commend the visit.<\/p>\n
The 2004 tsunami catastrophe, the recent earthquake on Nias
\nIsland and an Australian relief helicopter crash that killed nine
\npeople, have brought the two leaders closer than ever. Disaster
\nand tragedy have prompted sympathy from the Australian media in
\nresponse to Susilo's visit. Howard's much-criticized Asian policy
\nand Susilo's military background are no longer considered the
\nmain issues, and the possible implications of the signing of a
\nsecurity pact have largely been ignored.<\/p>\n
Susilo's visit to Australia was scheduled for March 30th. When
\nthe earthquake hit Nias on the 28th, the President postponed his
\nvisit. Canberra again offered generous assistance. It ordered the
\nHMAS Kanimbla to turn back to Nias. The Kanimbla's crew had been
\nin Banda Aceh for nearly three months. They were on their way
\nhome.<\/p>\n
The response of the Indonesian Military to the deaths of the
\nAustralian men and women on Nias has been seen by the Australian
\npublic as a remarkable gesture. Australians from all walks of
\nlife have been touched to see pictures of Indonesian soldiers
\ncomforting their Australian counterparts. The tragic crash
\nprovided more common ground for cooperation between the two
\nleaders.<\/p>\n
The Australian media's positive reaction to Susilo's visit is
\ntestimony to Howard's skill in revamping the relationship. And
\nthe President's promise to bring the relationship closer has been
\nrealized. His visit in the last few days has been politically
\nfruitful for both leaders, while a succession of tragedies has
\nhelped to shield negative perceptions about the signing of the
\nsecurity pact.<\/p>\n
The writer is a journalist for Multicultural Radio based in
\nMelbourne and can be contacted at belakusumah@optusnet.com.au.<\/p>",
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