Australia and RI in talks to repair ties
Australia and RI in talks to repair ties
CANBERRA (Reuters): Indonesia and Australia began two days of
long-delayed ministerial talks here on Thursday aimed at
repairing a bilateral relationship badly damaged by Australia's
decision to lead a multinational force to East Timor.
The meeting got underway nearly five hours behind schedule
after a last-minute postponement at Indonesia's request, but
Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer said the tone of the
first session was friendly and constructive.
"I'm pleased with the way the meeting is developing so far,"
Downer told reporters during a break in the meeting.
Australia hopes the talks, originally scheduled for October,
will pave the way for an on-again, off-again visit by Indonesian
President Abdurrahman Wahid, who faces emotional opposition in
Jakarta to any restoration of relations with Canberra.
Indonesian legislators and many opinion leaders are angry at
Australia for leading the UN-mandated force into East Timor in
1999 after pro-Jakarta militias went on a rampage of violence
following a vote for independence from Indonesia.
They have also accused Australia of supporting Irian Jaya's
independence push. Canberra used the meeting to deny the charge.
"We have reaffirmed to the Indonesians our commitment to
Indonesia's territorial integrity," Downer said.
"We've made the point that we strongly support Irian Jaya
remaining part of Indonesia, we don't give any comfort to those
who seek independence of Irian Jaya."
The Canberra talks are the highest level bilateral meeting
since relations plunged after the East Timor crisis.
The Indonesian delegation includes foreign minister Alwi
Shihab, trade and industry minister Luhut Pandjaitan, education
minister Yahya Muhaimin, agriculture and forestry minister
Bungaran Saragih and maritime and fisheries minister Sarwono
Kusumaatmadja, according to an embassy official.
Downer leads the 10-member Australian delegation, which also
includes trade minister Mark Vaile, treasurer Peter Costello,
immigration minister Philip Ruddock, industry minister Nick
Minchin and agriculture minister Warren Truss.
Indonesian officials were briefed last week in Jakarta on
Australia's new defense policy paper, unveiled on Wednesday, and
Canberra hopes to rebuild bilateral defense links.