Indonesia delays sending its ambassador to Australia

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie postponed veteran diplomat Arizal Effendy's posting as Indonesia's ambassador to Australia amid the worsening diplomatic row between the two countries.

However Habibie stressed that the move was not a precursor to downgrading diplomatic ties.

Minister of Information Muhammad Yunus said here on Wednesday Arizal would depart for Australia when relations between the countries improved.

"There is a delay in the departure of Indonesia's ambassador to Australia until further developments," Yunus said after a four-hour Cabinet meeting at Bina Graha presidential office.

Habibie installed Arizal as Indonesia's envoy to Australia on July 30, replacing Wiryono Sastrohandojo.

Despite this delay, the President reportedly stressed to his ministers that bilateral relations with Australia would remain vital no matter who lead Indonesia in the future.

"Habibie can be replaced but do not let the relations of the two countries be damaged," Yunus quoted the President as saying.

Relations between Jakarta and Canberra have slowly deteriorated over the past month due to the East Timor situation. A number of Indonesian officials and community leaders have expressed displeasure with Australia's reaction to events in the territory.

Relations were further aggravated by a brief boycott of Indonesian goods by Australian unions.

Relations diplomatic relations were also upset in 1995 when the Australian parliament strongly rejected the appointment of Lt. Gen. (ret.) H.B.L. Mantiri despite Canberra's acceptance.

The rejection came after there was a strong public backlash over his alleged role in the 1991 Dili incident.

In another sign of corroding relations, Minister of Forestry and Plantations Muslimin Nasution said on Wednesday he supported a proposal to reject the "meager" aid in the forestry sector from Australia.

"I agree. Our self-respect is far more important," Muslimin said when asked by journalists.

Suspension of aid would have little impact because it was insignificant, he said.

Muslimin did not disclose how much was provided annually, but said Australian assistance in the forestry sector was limited to a water project in East Nusa Tenggara.

He also said that foreign institutions often accumulated support for their objectives in the country by denouncing local conditions.

He noted that Tanjung Puting National Park, South Kalimantan, was one example in which foreigners continually drew attention to illegal logging in their attempts to raise funds.

"Why should we be afraid of losing foreign assistance?" he said.

Meanwhile, Antara reported from Manado, North Sulawesi, that an Indonesian-Australian gold exploration project in Minahasa district may have fallen victim to the strained ties.

PT Tambang Tondano Nusa Jaya (TTNJ) and PT Mearest Soputan Mining (MSM) stopped joint exploration activities on 300,000 hectares in Likupang and Dimembe subdistricts as of Sept. 20, spokesman of the local mines and Energy office V. Malonda said.

He acknowledged that the suspension may have been caused by the hostile political climate between the two countries.

An MSM staff member, W. Kamagi, said workers, including expatriates, were laid off on Sept. 18.

Exploration in the area began in Minahasa in December 1997. (prb)