Prospect and pitfalls in Australia-RI ties<\/p>\n
Ali Alatas, Former Foreign Minister, Perth, Australia<\/p>\n
Part 1 of 2<\/p>\n
I have been asked to share with you some thoughts on the
\nAustralia -- Indonesia relationship and considering Perth's
\nproximity to Indonesia and its many-sided links with my country,
\nthis is just the right place to do it.<\/p>\n
For some time now, especially since the events in the
\naftermath of the popular consultation in East Timor, Indonesian
\n-- Australian relations are again at a low ebb. I say \"again\",
\nbecause the situation is reminiscent of the situation in early
\n1988, when I became foreign minister and inherited a state of
\nIndonesia -- Australia relations that was characterized by
\ntensions and deep mutual animosities.<\/p>\n
A major cause of that situation then, which is also
\nregrettably a major factor in the situation today, is the
\nquestion of East Timor. Moreover, today, as it was then, the
\ndifferences between the two sides are further exacerbated by the
\nexaggerations and misrepresentations indulged in by the mass
\nmedia on both sides and by the often intemperate statements of
\nsome political leaders in both countries.<\/p>\n
In order to improve the present state of relations, it is
\nimportant first to attempt an objective appraisal of what the
\nmain reasons were that caused the relations to sour.<\/p>\n
As concerns Indonesia, I think there was a genuine and
\nwidespread sense of deep disappointment and even \"betrayal\"
\nbecause of what was perceived as an over-zealous and often rather
\nsmug attitude on the part of the Australian government in
\nengaging itself in the formation, despatch and operation of the
\nInterfet (International Force in East Timor).<\/p>\n
In Indonesia's perception, the Australian government, unlike
\nother critics of Indonesia's East Timor policy, had always been
\nbasically a supporter of that policy. Hence, Australia's change
\nof policy, the conduct of certain Australian nationals while
\nworking for the Unamet (United Nations Mission in East Timor)
\nand, subsequently, Australia's gung-ho attitude, in the launching
\nof Interfet, hurt the feelings not only of the Indonesian
\ngovernment but also of many segments of Indonesian society.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, there was also widespread misunderstanding
\nand incomprehension among the Indonesian public and media with
\nregard to the actual United Nations procedures pertaining to the
\nestablishment of a multi-national force (MNF) under Chapter VII
\nof the UN Charter, as distinct from a UN peace-keeping force.<\/p>\n
Thus, there was misunderstanding about the need to have MNF
\ntroops as quickly as possible on the ground in East Timor; about
\nthe fact that in a multinational force troop, contributing
\ncountries pay for the cost of their own contribution instead of
\nit being shared by the entire membership of the UN; and about
\nAustralia assuming command of the MNF, called Interfet, which is
\na consequence of it being the most ready and providing the
\nlargest contingent to the multinational force.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, in Australia's perception the Indonesian
\ngovernment, or at least its armed forces, seemed unwilling rather
\nthan unable to stop the burning and killing in East Timor after
\nthe results of the popular consultation were publicized, thus
\ncausing a public outcry in Australia.<\/p>\n
It did not help that some of the media and non government
\norganizations on both sides then fanned the flames of controversy
\nthrough often highly sensational reporting and commentaries.<\/p>\n
It is true that recently, a number of encouraging developments
\nhave taken place which hopefully would augur well for repairing
\nthe damaged bilateral ties. The visit of then president
\nAbdurrahman Wahid to Australia last June, although largely
\nsymbolic, was important in laying the foundations for
\nrapprochement.<\/p>\n
This was preceded by the convening last December of the
\nseveral times postponed Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Forum,
\nwhich succeeded in launching a number of important cooperative
\nprojects in trade, investment, health and legal affairs, thus
\nbringing about a much improved atmosphere for further dialog.<\/p>\n
And the return visit by Prime Minister John Howard in August,
\nthe first visit by a foreign head of government since the
\ninstallation of President Megawati Soekarnoputri, further
\nsolidified this trend.<\/p>\n
However, we should not underestimate the degree of
\nsensitiveness that still affects our relationship and we should
\nguard against the notion that the present nadir in our
\nrelationship could be overcome by a few summit meetings, no
\nmatter how well intentioned. I believe that the hurt feelings
\namong some segments of Indonesian society as well as the
\nperennial prejudice among some groups in Australia are running
\ntoo deep for us to expect such overnight results.<\/p>\n
Managing that relationship and nurturing it back to its
\noriginal strength will prove to be a delicate process, requiring
\nsensitive and sensible diplomacy on the part of both governments,
\nconstructive interaction between the two peoples and the
\ndevelopment of concrete, cooperative ventures in as many fields
\nas possible.<\/p>\n
When we faced a similar situation in 1988, then foreign
\nminister Gareth Evans and I agreed that while acknowledging that
\ndifferences of view on the East Timor issue may continue between
\nus, we should not allow this issue, or any other single issue, to
\ndominate our bilateral relations as a whole. Instead, we agreed
\nto consciously and concretely develop other aspects and fields of
\ncooperation and thus provide added ballast to these relations.<\/p>\n
Then, if and when disturbances were to occur, caused by
\ndifferences or problems, which between neighbors will inevitably
\ncrop up from time to time, the added weight and enhanced interest
\ndeveloped on a variety of other aspects and fields would be
\nstrong and diversified enough to overcome those temporary shocks.
\nI strongly believe, that this approach is as valid and viable
\ntoday as it proved to be 12 years ago.<\/p>\n
This article is based on the writer's address on Nov. 5, at a
\nluncheon held by the AustralAsia Centre of the Asia Society in
\nPerth.<\/p>",
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