Indonesia delays sending its ambassador to Australia

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)