Downer protests over Abdurrahman's remark

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)