Message from Ambassador Robin Christopher

Message from Ambassador Robin Christopher

The United Kingdom celebrates the official Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on June 13. This is the equivalent to our national day. It is a time for some pomp and ceremony at home with the well-known Trooping of the Colour as well as a holiday for many. It can also be a time for reflection. For us in Indonesia, having witnessed such historic events in recent weeks, it is a time to think about the future and about our presence here.

The United Kingdom has a considerable stake in Indonesia. We are the second-largest investor after Japan. Many of the largest British companies have a sizable presence in key sectors, representing a long-term commitment to this country and a faith in its future. British industry has contributed, through this investment, to the remarkable record of economic growth which Indonesia has enjoyed over the last two to three decades. We are proud of that contribution from which all have benefited.

Now we have hit rough times. And just as we shared in Indonesia's past success, we are now sharing the anxieties and the trauma of dramatic change. The economic whirlwind which has hit the whole region since last July has increased in intensity in Indonesia and, so far, shows no sight of abating. It has swept aside old political structures and ushered in new freedoms and an era of reform the like of which has not been seen for almost a generation.

The wind of change is refreshing, but it is also unsettling. The recent tragic violence was like the birth pains of this new, unknown world in which Indonesia now finds itself. The challenge now is to feel the way forward to a system of democratic government that is accountable to the people through free and fair elections that will restore confidence to this great country.

Much has been said about confidence, or the lack of it, in recent months. The U.K. has supported Indonesia through the IMF and the far-reaching programme of reform being implemented by the government. But confidence has yet to return. That in no way invalidates the reform programme. When markets turn their backs they do so because of uncertainty about the future.

In Indonesia today, the future has arrived and is knocking on the door. There is a fumbling for the key to let it in. But that the door will open somehow there can be no doubt. What matters now is unity of purpose and an end to hesitation and uncertainty about the process. Once Indonesia has confidence in itself again, the rest of the world will have confidence too.

My country and all other friends of Indonesia are willing it to succeed in meeting this challenge. I am glad that it was a British Minister, Derek Fatchett, in his capacity as representative of the European Union Presidency, who was the first to visit Indonesia after the change of government. He brought with him a message of encouragement for reform and support. We will be following that up with practical measures to stimulate trade as well as development assistance at this critical time. The United Kingdom is engaged and will remain so.