Downer protests over Abdurrahman's remark

JAKARTA (JP): Australian foreign affairs minister Alexander Downer on Saturday lodged a verbal protest over a recent remark by Indonesian President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid labeling Prime Minister Howard's stand toward Indonesia as "childish".

Indonesia's ambassador to Australia Arizal Effendi said in Canberra that Downer had contacted him by phone to express anger over Abdurrahman's statement.

Downer said he was afraid Abdurrahman's statement would damage relations between the two countries.

Arizal quoted Downer as saying he hoped the Indonesian government would do its part in defusing tensions between the two countries.

Arizal retorted by saying that Abdurrahman's statement was merely a response to Australia's unfriendly attitude toward Indonesia.

The envoy said Howard, as well as Downer, had lately been using the media to attack Indonesia over such issues as illegal immigrants from Middle Eastern countries, Antara reported.

Abdurrahman, during a visit to Beijing last week, revealed that he was still angry with Australia over its childish stand toward Indonesia.

Speaking before the Indonesian community in Beijing on Thursday night, Abdurrahman said he would not at all be worried if relations between Indonesia and Australia continued to deteriorate.

Abdurrahman's remark about Howard was prominently reported in the Australian media. The Australian daily carried it on its front page.

According to Arizal, the Australian government was using such issues to further its own political interests. Howard was placating opposition parties to endorse an immigration law which would limit the rights of international immigrants, he said. (mds)