Bridges of understanding

Bridges of understanding

The East Timor case has made it increasingly clear that many bridges of understanding need to be built between the two nations (Indonesia and Australia). Just one bridge of formal relations between the two states has proven to be insufficient because states have a disposition toward arrogance as well as political interests that do not always represent the concerns of the peoples involved.

Take, for example, culture. There are about 18,000 young Indonesians studying in Australia, and each month thousands of Indonesian traders and businesspeople visit major cities in Australia. The same is true for Australians living and traveling to Indonesia.

The question is, what does this traffic of people in both directions contribute toward building understanding? Why is there no growth of understanding arising from these ties of friendship? Could it be that a certain attitude of rejection has been allowed to grow so much as to keep the two peoples apart?

This would mean that there has been a failure on the cultural level. In order to improve a relationship that is never cordial, a solution on the cultural level must be found. In the meantime, while searching for such a solution, Indonesians must understand that in this intercourse between nations any form of simple- mindedness must be avoided. Every time we act foolishly -- especially where issues of humanity are involved -- we are putting our head in the tiger's mouth.

It would be a sad situation if these neighboring nations should allow themselves to rely only on one bridge -- that of formal diplomatic relations -- to achieve understanding.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta