Howard and Soeharto upbeat on bilateral ties
Howard and Soeharto upbeat on bilateral ties
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday that social,
cultural and political differences should not hamper the
friendship and cooperation between Indonesia and Australia.
"Differences should not become an obstacle for the development
of a feeling of friendship and cooperation between the two
countries," Soeharto said yesterday when hosting a dinner for
visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard.
Soeharto said it was natural for a bilateral relationship to
have highs and lows.
Soeharto held a dinner at the State Palace for Howard who
arrived here yesterday for a three-day visit. This is Howard's
first overseas trip since replacing Paul Keating as Prime
Minister earlier this year.
Howard was originally scheduled to visit last month but he
postponed the trip because his wife was ill.
Soeharto said the fact that Howard chose Indonesia for his
first trip abroad signified his great attention toward the
bilateral relationship.
Ties between the two countries have gone through phases of
cordiality and friction over the past few years, marked primarily
by Canberra's frequent sharp criticism of Indonesia's human
rights record.
Last year, Indonesia withdrew its ambassadorial candidate,
H.B.L. Mantiri, to Canberra because of an uproar in the
Australian media over a statement he made concerning the 1991
Dili incident.
Soeharto, in his address, said that Indonesia greatly
emphasizes its relations with other countries and thus upholds
the principals of non-interference and respect for sovereignty.
On national development, Soeharto said that while there was
great concentration on economics, Indonesia had not neglected
social development.
"We continually strive to improve our legal mechanisms and
awareness of the law to support a democratic political life," the
president said, adding that economic and social development must
proceed together if true fulfillment of human rights was to be
achieved.
"A citizen will not be able to realize his right for
constructive and responsible expression if he doesn't get a
proper education. Freedom to form labor unions will also have no
meaning if there is much unemployment," Soeharto said.
He argued that this did not mean that civil and political
rights were subservient to economic targets.
"Economic, social and cultural rights go hand in hand with
civil and political rights. They are a unity that cannot be
divided," he said.
Prime Minister Howard in his address stressed that any
disagreements that emerged should be seen in the overriding
mutual interest of the two countries.
"We are very different and we cannot always expect to see eye
to eye. No country can be asked to deny its history, principles
or culture," he said.
He said the two countries should support each other, stating
that their relationship enjoyed bipartisan support in Australia.
"That our relationship has become far more richer and so
diverse reflects the natural compliment of our national
interests," he said.
Howard then pledged closer cooperation in future and said that
close economic ties would be harnessed further.
Earlier in the day, the two leaders met briefly in Soeharto's
work room at Merdeka Palace.
On the Soeharto-Howard meeting, Indonesian Minister/State
Secretary Moerdiono said the two leaders seemed very happy to
finally be able to meet.
Howard is scheduled to meet Soeharto this morning, then
address the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the
Grand Hyatt Hotel. He is also scheduled to meet Minister of
Defense and Security Gen. Edi Sudradjat and State Minister of
Research and Technology B.J. Habibie. (mds)
Editorial -- Page 4