Indonesia-Russia bilateral relations warm up

Indonesia-Russia bilateral relations warm up

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia and Russia seem to have found a new path in their
bilateral relations, particularly with the recent signing of
memorandums of understanding for closer cooperation in the
military, technology and trade sectors.

The highlight of the cooperation was Indonesia's decision to
purchase Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30 jet fighters and Mi-35
helicopters from the former communist state.

Both countries have experienced bittersweet memories in
bilateral relations in the past.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri said in Moscow early this
week that Indonesia-Russia relations had had their ups and downs.
She also called for a new beginning in diplomacy.

Observers Dewi Fortuna Anwar and Indria Samego showed support
for the President's foreign policy, saying that it could reduce
Indonesia's dependence on the U.S.

"That (improving relations with Russia) is good. It helps
Indonesia to have an alternative in international relations,"
Dewi Fortuna told The Jakarta Post here on Tuesday.

Dewi of the Habibie Center added that Indonesia and Russia
needed each other. Indonesia needed a supplier of military
equipment, while Russia saw a potential market in Indonesia.

Indria of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI),
meanwhile, said that military cooperation with Russia could
reduce Indonesia's dependence on the U.S.

At least, he added, improving cooperation with Russia would
soften pressure from the U.S.

Both analysts were commenting on the signing of several
memorandums of understanding, the ceremony for, which was
witnessed by Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri and
Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Dewi emphasized that the improvement in relations had nothing
to do with the ideology of the two countries in the past.

Indonesia enjoyed good relations with the Soviet Union (as it
was) under founding president Sukarno in the late 1950s and early
1960s, during which Indonesia enjoyed a supply of military
hardware.

An abundant supply of military aircraft and vessels made
Indonesia Asia's "super power" in the 1960s. However, that did
not last long.

A lack of technology, maintenance and servicing contributed to
the damage of high-technology equipment.

Besides, the political aspect was also a major cause in
weakening relations with Russia.

Following the abortive coup attributed to the Indonesian
Communist Party (PKI) in 1965, Indonesia distanced itself from
the Soviet Union.

Gen. Soeharto, Sukarno's successor, perceived Moscow as a
potential threat to Indonesia. Soeharto banned Russian
literature, claiming that it incorporated communist teaching,
which was not in line with the state ideology, Pancasila.

Although Indonesia adopts a "free and active" foreign policy
and is cofounder of the Non-Aligned Movement (GAM), its
government has adopted different policies, according to the
background of the president.

Sukarno visited Moscow in 1956 and 1964, while Soeharto made a
visit in 1989. Megawati followed in their footsteps recently.

Premier Nikita Khrushchev visited Jakarta in February 1960
when Sukarno was the president. During Soeharto's era, relations
with the Soviet Union cooled.

In October 1985, Deputy Prime Minister Yakov Ryabov led a
delegation to Indonesia, marking the highest official visit to
the country from the Soviet Union.

President of the Soviet Republic of Uzbekistan and a Vice
President of the Soviet Union Mirza Olim Ibragimov made an eight-
day private visit to Indonesia as guest of Soeharto.

Ibragimov was the highest official from the Soviet Union to
visit Indonesia during the Soeharto era.

With foreign policy now swinging toward Russia, it does not
necessarily mean that Indonesia is ignoring the U.S. Indonesia
can benefit from its relations with Russia and the U.S. to bring
economic recovery.

Dewi Fortuna said that the U.S. should not react negatively at
Megawati's move because Indonesia had been trying to seek
revocation of the U.S. embargo on military equipment.

"We can't base Indonesia's future purely on U.S decisions,"
Dewi added.