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)