Abdurrahman to delay trip to Australia
Abdurrahman to delay trip to Australia
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia-Australia diplomatic relations
declined further on Monday when the government here announced
President Abdurrahman Wahid would postpone his trip to Australia
next month, due in part to espionage activity in East Timor
involving an Australian soldier.
Foreign minister Alwi Shihab could not say if a new date had
been set for the President's future visit, pointing out that it
had to occur when relations were at its best.
"There are other countries that need to be visited by
Abdurrahman which will also bring greater benefit than spending
time visiting Australia," he said.
While scheduling problems were given as the primary reason,
Alwi acknowledged that the spy incident indirectly affected the
decision.
"Our foreign policy must be mindful of the desires of the
people ... I believe what occurred has caused something which is
rather uncomfortable in the hearts of some people," Alwi told
journalists.
"We should consider their feelings," he remarked. "If the
President suddenly goes there (Australia) after this incident
then it seems that we are not mindful of the people's
aspirations."
The Indonesian foreign ministry expressed serious concern last
week and warned of cracks in the normalization of ties between
Jakarta and Canberra following the discovery that an Australian
had sponsored spy activities in East Nusa Tenggara.
The foreign ministry said it deplores the recurrence of
espionage activities involving Australian nationals.
An Australian soldier serving on the United Nations
peacekeeping force in East Timor was expelled after it was
discovered that he paid a Timorese to spy on the activities along
the East Timor-East Nusa Tenggara border.
The latest move marks a further downturn in diplomatic ties
which reached a low following events which transpired in East
Timor last year.
Alwi urged Canberra on Monday to take measures not to
aggravate the situation further in the run-up to future planned
visits.
"We call on Australia to ensure that ahead of (future)
departures (to Australia) there are no causes of discomfort
between the two countries," he said.
"We have to create an amiable atmosphere so the President's
visit will not be marred by uneasy feelings," he added.
The President is due to visit Egypt for a G-15 conference in
June along with having an eye examination in the United States.
There are also plans to visit Russia, Poland and the Czech
Republic, however, no fixed dates have been set. (dja)