Howard praises Aussie-RI effort

Howard praises Aussie-RI effort

Agencies, Banda Aceh

Australia's prime minister on Wednesday praised the cooperation of his soldiers and Indonesian troops in tsunami relief efforts, which Indonesian officials said could usher in "new intimacy" between the two nations.

John Howard's comments during a visit to inspect damage in Aceh province came five years after ties were strained by Australia's criticism of the Indonesian Military in East Timor's bloody separation from Indonesia.

Australia has mounted a huge relief effort in Aceh, ravaged by the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami. With an aid package of US$770 million, the country is one of the biggest donors.

"The Australian Defense Force and the TNI (Indonesian Armed Forces) have worked together harmoniously with one goal, and that is to bring assistance and comfort and help to a people who have been tragically struck down by this terrible disaster," Howard was quoted by AFP as saying.

Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab, who stood beside Howard during a visit to Aceh's main Zainoel Abidin Hospital, expressed the "admiration and recognition" of the Indonesian people for Australia's generosity.

"This is an historic moment and a chance for us build better relations with Australia and forget the past. Let us start with a new intimacy," Alwi said.

A smiling Howard greeted Australian medical personnel working at the sprawling hospital, where tiled hallways were still smeared with dirt and workers loaded wheelbarrows with brick-like chunks of mud from the courtyard.

"I am very proud of what my fellow Australians have done," he said.

Howard said the tsunami had led Australia to commit its largest amount yet of foreign aid. Hundreds of Australian troops are now based in Aceh, delivering aid by air, distilling drinking water, and helping in cleanup efforts.

"My first impressions are that nothing I have seen on television captured the extent of the devastation," he said.

"The whole response to the tsunami has been a reminder of the common humanity that we all share and that when you have tragedy you forget differences. You forget differences of race, religion, of ethnicity, of nationality."

Alwi said Australia would gradually replace its military contingent with civilian aid workers -- in line with other foreign military missions.

Howard said that during his visit he had not discussed recent peace talks in Finland between Indonesia and the separatist Free Aceh Movement rebels.

Also on Wednesday, Malaysia's former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad arrived in Aceh and met senior government officials, Antara said.

Mahathir also held private meetings with Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda and Alwi Shihab.

Later Mahathir, accompanied by his wife, daughter and son-in- law, visited several sites damaged by the tsunami in and around the main city of Banda Aceh.