Australia's views on future Indonesia

Australia's views on future Indonesia

JAKARTA (JP): Australia in its foreign policy White Paper
released yesterday, notes that the continuation of economic
liberalization and stability in Indonesia is "not necessarily
assured" in the post-Soeharto era.

In its chapter on relations with Indonesia, the White Paper
says bilateral ties are very favorable and that a substantial
relationship is in place across a wide range of fields.

"The challenge is to sustain and widen it. This will require
careful management as Indonesia faces a leadership transition
after more than two decades of growth and social change.

"In these circumstances, continuing economic liberalization,
political stability and continuity in foreign policy are not
necessarily assured over the next 15 years, although they are
clearly in the interests not only of Indonesia but also Australia
and the region," the White Paper says.

The White Paper was officially released in Canberra by
Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer.

It lays down the principles and priorities which Canberra
believes should drive Australia's foreign policy for the next 15
years.

Australia's ambassador to Jakarta, John McCarthy, unveiled it
to journalists here yesterday and spoke on salient points of the
report.

"The White Paper strongly endorses the priority accorded to
the Asia-Pacific and especially to the countries of East Asia,
with emphasis on forging closer relationships with the major
powers of the region ... our neighbor Indonesia, the United
States, Japan and China," the ambassador said.

When asked if the paragraph noting unassured stability and
economic liberalization reflected Australia's wariness toward the
leadership transition in Indonesia, McCarthy quickly retorted:
"No."

"Quite clearly this is talking about a 15-year time frame, I
don't think I'm saying anything which is dramatically
startling ... you talk about it here quite frequently I think,"
he added.

The report is made up of 206 paragraphs of which five lengthy
ones are devoted to bilateral ties with Indonesia.

It reconfirms Australia's established policy toward Indonesia
so far and asserts the view that relations with Indonesia "will
always of be fundamentally important".

The White Paper affirms Australia's support for stability and
economic growth here by engaging all levels -- government,
business and society.

Closer cooperation in shared strategic interests is also cited
with Australia expressing its desire to consolidate and enhance
its strategic dialog with Indonesia.

On the thorny issue of East Timor, the White Paper notes that
it "will remain in shaping Australian public attitudes towards
Indonesia and Indonesia's standing internationally".

"Australia will continue to encourage the protection of human
rights and an internationally acceptable solution to the problem
of East Timor.

"While the overall administration of the province is primarily
a matter for the Indonesian government to determine, the
Australian government considers that an improved human rights
situation and a greater role in the administration of the
province for indigenous East Timorese would contribute to an
overall resolution of the issue," the report said.

McCarthy stressed yesterday the paragraphs concerning
Australia's general view on human rights issues and foreign
policy.

The White Paper describes human rights as an inseparable part
of foreign policy and acknowledges that Australia's support for
such issues could create difficulties in various bilateral ties.

But it maintains that the approach "must be realistic in
assessing what can and cannot be achieved ... Linking human
rights to trade serves neither Australia's trade nor its human
rights interests". (mds)