RI-Dutch ties grow into maturity<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto signaled an era of
\nstrengthening friendship between Indonesia and the Netherlands
\nyesterday, marking an end to the tumultuous state of relations of
\nthe past two years.<\/p>\n
Upon receiving the Letter of Credence from the new Dutch
\nambassador, Paul Ritze Brouwer, at Merdeka Palace, Soeharto said
\nthe century old ties marked with high and low periods have now
\nevolved into a relationship founded on mutual respect.<\/p>\n
"That relationship has now grown into maturity, bringing the
\ntwo nations closer," Soeharto stated.<\/p>\n
Brouwer replaces outgoing ambassador J.H.R.D. van Roijen who
\nended his two-year tenure as ambassador here last month.<\/p>\n
A career diplomat, Brouwer served as Dutch ambassador to the
\nWest African state of Burkina Faso from 1986 to 1989.<\/p>\n
"It will be a challenge for me to strengthen the relations
\nbetween our two countries and to encourage and support the
\nNetherlands' effort to participate in Indonesian dynamism,"
\nBrouwer told the president.<\/p>\n
Brouwer's arrival here comes at a time when ties between
\nJakarta and The Hague are on an upward climb. This has been the
\ntrend since 1992.<\/p>\n
That year Jakarta dissolved the Dutch-chaired Inter
\nGovernmental Group on Indonesia (IGGI), which disburses foreign
\naid to Indonesia, citing The Hague's interference in domestic
\nmatters as the reason.<\/p>\n
A new aid group was formed under the Consultative Group on
\nIndonesia (CGI), which includes former members of the IGGI, with
\nthe exception of Holland.<\/p>\n
Relations have slowly begun to improve and were boosted this
\nyear by the arrival of then Dutch prime minister Ruud Lubbers.<\/p>\n
References to the events of 1992 were omitted from yesterday's
\nexchange of speeches, which were mostly laden with Soeharto's and
\nBrouwer's statements of intent to enhance ties further.<\/p>\n
Both Soeharto and Brouwer indicated the likelihood of Dutch Queen
\nBeatrix visiting for Indonesia's 50th independence celebrations.<\/p>\n
"I and the people of Indonesia await the arrival of Your Highness
\nQueen Beatrix," Soeharto said.<\/p>\n
Brouwer, in conveying Queen Beatrix's good wishes to Soeharto,
\nsaid it was "in the knowledge that she hopes to pay a state visit to
\nIndonesia next year."<\/p>\n
Asserting The Hague's commitment to better ties further, Brouwer
\nstressed that his government will not allow the integration of
\nEurope's big market to disrupt relations with Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The desire to strengthen relations was also evidenced in The Hague
\nwhen on Sunday Dutch Development Minister Jan Pronk called for
\nrecognition of Aug. 17, 1945, as Indonesia's independence day, during
\nwhich time the Netherlands was still colonial ruler.<\/p>\n
Iran<\/p>\n
Earlier yesterday, Soeharto also received credentials from the new
\nIranian ambassador, Sayed Mohsen Nabavi, who replaces the outgoing
\nAsghar Ghoraishi.<\/p>\n
In his address, Soeharto noted the important global roles both
\ncountries could play as members of the Non-Aligned Movement, the
\nOrganization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and the Organization of
\nIslamic Conference.<\/p>\n
He went on to underline the necessity of bilateral cooperation in
\nthe context of overall South-South cooperation.<\/p>\n
Nabavi reiterated the strategic importance of expanding bilateral
\nrelations.<\/p>\n
Throughout his career Nabavi has held positions at various Iranian
\nministries. He was director of the Department of Islamic and Regional
\nFora and the Non-Aligned Movement at the Iranian foreign ministry
\nbefore assuming his current posting. (mds)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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