An attack on common decency

An attack on common decency

A terrorist attack has been carried out on the diplomatic
mission of a peaceful nation. To Australia's shame, we are the
host of that mission, the Indonesian embassy in Canberra.

It will not help Corby in her attempt to have the verdict
overturned.

The attack is only the latest and worst episode in a wave of
antipathy towards Indonesia which has swept this country since
the Corby verdict. Worst have been reports that donors to the
tsunami relief effort have demanded their money back. All of this
anger is misplaced.

Much of it has shown Australia and Australians in a very poor
light - boorish, ill-informed, often racist. To judge from the
irrational outrage at the verdict, it appears Australians believe
themselves superior to their neighbours and entitled without
question to favourable treatment. Not surprisingly, the reaction
in Indonesia to this outburst has been strong and critical.

There is hope that despite the attack's potential for damage,
at the political level at least, it will not place in jeopardy
this hard-won goodwill. It is at the popular level that damage --
serious damage -- is now being done to the relationship. It is
there that our political leaders must direct their attention in
coming days.
-- The Sydney Morning Herald.