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)