'Don't be too optimistic about RI-Australia ties'

JAKARTA (JP): Despite the seemingly sturdy foundation of ties between Jakarta and Canberra, a political analyst warns against over confidence about establishing a ripple-free relationship.

Hilman Adil, of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, said yesterday that although ties are solid, Canberra's foreign policy stance is often subjected to critical scrutiny by its people and media.

"A sense of over optimism should be avoided bearing in mind the contrasting systems and political cultures of the two countries," the expert on Australian affairs said.

Speaking at a seminar on "Indonesia's Fight for Independence and Australia's Contribution" at the University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java, Hilman and other speakers said that differing perceptions were the cause of the recent rise of tensions between the two governments.

Wardiningsih Soerjohardjo, head of the university's Australian analysis department, pointed to divergent perceptions in cultural and political systems, along with domestic interests, as the cause of the see-sawing state of ties.

"With globalization, specifically in the flow of information, along with rapid economic growth, I hope that the differences will, slowly, become less of an impediment," Wardiningsih said later on in the seminar.

Hilman warned that despite the vast flow of information and the willingness of the two governments to appreciate each other's position, differences which spark high emotions in a wide segment of society remain a proximate possibility.

"It is impossible to change public perception, which pays little attention to conditions beyond borders and remains riveted on sensational issues spotlighted by the media," Hilman said of Australian public perceptions.

He said a transformation on how each country perceived the other could help avoid future discomfort in bilateral ties.

One example was Indonesia's strong reaction towards an article by David Jenkins of the Sydney Morning Herald in 1986, which people here found demeaning to President Soeharto.

The Australian public considered Jakarta's reaction as an irrational act, which was adverse to its own interest.

Indonesia and Australia have experienced a series of peaks and valleys in their bilateral ties, with the current state of relations being one of the lowest in several years.

The decline was sparked by strong criticism from the Australian media and parliament over the choice of Indonesia's new ambassador to Canberra, due to past comments he made over East Timor. Jakarta has since withdrawn the nomination and vacated the ambassadorial post.

This was followed by a series of flag burning incidents in Australia, during the week Indonesia celebrated its golden independence anniversary.

"The case of Indonesian-Australian relations is a clear example of just how much of a role the elements of irrationality and emotion can play in ties between the two countries," Hilman said.

He said that any analysis of the two countries relations, apart from considering objective elements, must also take into account public opinion.(mds)