Aussie paper returns

JAKARTA (JP): The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper is once again to be represented here after an absence of 14 years.

The Sydney-based Herald reported in its July 1 edition that the Indonesian government had given permission last week for the daily newspaper to open a bureau here.

"I am delighted that the Herald is back in Jakarta," Editor-in-Chief John Alexander was quoted as saying.

The Jakarta bureau was closed "in controversial circumstances" in 1981, said the report. Negotiations aimed at re-establishing a bureau here have been underway for six years.

The Herald incurred the wrath of Indonesian government again in 1986, when the newspaper ran a number of stories by senior journalist David Jenkins about the business dealings of President Soeharto and his family.

The articles soured relations between Indonesia and Australia and sparked a series of demonstrations at the Australian embassy here.

The decision to allow the newspaper to return to Jakarta revives a long Herald record of coverage of Indonesia, the newspaper said.

"Indonesia's relationship with Australia is growing in importance day by day. Our efforts to re-establish a bureau reflect that," Alexander said.

"The reopened bureau will be a vital link in the Herald's expanding foreign coverage," he added.

He paid tribute to the role of outgoing Indonesian Ambassador Sabam Siagian in helping the newspaper's return.

Alexander said that he had chosen Louise Williams, a former Herald foreign editor who has also held the posts of Asian affairs editor and Southeast Asia correspondent, to be the newspaper's new Jakarta correspondent. (bsr)