Friends down under
Friends down under
It was hailed as a "new era" of relations between Indonesia and
Australia. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Australian Prime Minister
John Howard both came out of their meeting in Canberra on Monday
beaming with mutual praise and confidence over the future of ties
between the often spatting neighbors.
Susilo's visit was in itself historic, being only the third
time an Indonesian leader has visited its southern neighbor. The
President's trip to Australia so early in his administration
underlines the importance Jakarta places on the relationship with
Canberra. It is hoped that his counterpart recognizes this fact
as a major turning point in bilateral relations.
While Monday's summit serves as an important catalyst for
future cooperation, it should be noted, however, that even
without direct government intervention, ties between the nations
had already solidified in the most important of areas: people-to-
people relationships.
Tens of thousands of Indonesians and Australians exchange
visits annually whether for tourism, education, cultural or
business purposes.
Jakarta, Sydney, Bali, Melbourne, Yogyakarta, the Gold Coast,
among others, are familiar destinations for the two peoples.
Seeing an Indonesian in Perth is as common as seeing one in
Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.
Hence, rather than the formal communiques paving the way for a
broader relationship, it is the informal exchanges which have
been the bedrock of this relationship. And that is how it is
supposed to be.
A sense of kinship was felt when Australians opened their
hearts and wallets to help victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami and
Nias earthquake.
Canberra showed that it is not only hasty in making things
politically difficult for Jakarta, but also quick to lend a hand
in times of need.
The contribution and sacrifice of the Australian people in
helping victims of the natural disaster is much appreciated.
Another noteworthy outcome of the summit was Canberra's
affirmation that it would not support separatist groups in
Indonesia and would respect the country's territorial integrity.
The signing of an agreement to that end, and Howard's
statement that he wished to see the problem of separatist
movements in Aceh and Papua resolved "amicably", hopefully, lays
to rest the nagging view here of Australia's hidden motives and
its creeping jurisdiction into the archipelago.
A genuinely positive and constructive relationship should also
suffice in the absence of a formal security treaty. Enhanced
cooperation in the field of defense and security forms a strong
enough backbone for synergy in areas of counter-terrorism and
antismuggling -- whether contraband or human.
Susilo's announcement that Indonesia would lobby for
Australia's admission into the inaugural East Asia Summit later
this year should come as no surprise.
The move was not a particular gesture toward Canberra as the
initiative was well underway to include Australia along with New
Zealand and India in this newly established forum which would
include the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations with China, South Korea and Japan.
It is the Indonesian foreign ministry's conviction that such a
forum at its inception should include all the major geographical
players in the region so the forum does not simply emulate the
already established ASEAN plus Three meetings.
Based on its own merits one could argue whether Australia
merits a place in a grouping of truly Asian countries. Canberra,
especially during Howard's administration, has acted somewhat
indifferently toward its Asian "identity". It has found
difficulty reconciling its European heritage with the realities
of its geographic location.
Many of its diplomatic initiatives -- including its refusal to
sign the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation -- has not
endeared itself to its Asian neighbors.
Jakarta is taking a risk in taking pains to include a country
in a forum (the East Asia Summit) that that country itself does
not seem interested in joining.
In this respect we urge Canberra to show more conviction in
being a responsible member of a neighborhood which is, by way of
migration, the origin of a significantly growing number of its
population.
Relations between Indonesia and Australia have been subject to
emotional issues for too long; tantrums and misperceptions
sparked by psychological nuances.
Future disagreements will inevitably arise in the future. But
if Australia can come to terms with its identity and leaders --
in government and parliament -- in both capitals approach their
relationship with sobriety, the potential of bilateral ties can
truly be fulfilled.