New era in RI-Australia relation
New era in RI-Australia relation
Jeffrey Francis, The Star, Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia
Never in the political history of Indonesia has its head of
state somewhat intimately described Australians as "brothers and
sisters".
That President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono did it last week was a
surprise. If he had used the term only once, it may be regarded,
as the saying goes, as "a slip of the tongue is no fault of the
mind".
But when he used the term for the second time in the same
context, it is difficult to rule out his sincerity in an attempt
to improve the political and diplomatic relationship between the
two countries.
Indeed, it is the beginning of a new era in bilateral relationship.
"I have to respect and honor (these) soldiers who have shown
their great courage, sacrifice and dedication for helping their
brothers and sisters in Nias," he said emotionally as he referred
to the death of nine Australian soldiers.
The soldiers were on a rescue and humanitarian mission to the
earthquake-devastated island of Nias, near Sumatra, when the Sea
King helicopter crashed and killed nine of the 11 soldiers last
week.
Most significantly is this statement: "For me, it shows that
our friendship, cooperation and togetherness, not only as
neighbors but as partners and brothers, inspire me to improve and
promote our partnership."
Susilo appears to have changed his attitude and approach to his
country's political, economic and social problems.
During the visit, he charmed Australians with his charisma and
personality.
Prime Minister John Howard described him as "an impressive man
who represents Indonesia's future, not its past".
When the bodies of the seven male and two female soldiers were
unloaded onto the tarmac at Sydney Airport, Susilo stood silently
beside Howard and, to the surprise of those present, he laid
Indonesia's Medal of Honor on top of each coffin that was wrapped
with the Australian flag.
The medals for distinguished and gallant service were the
first ever to be given to foreigners.
Again it was a gesture of significance to Australians never
before performed by a foreigner on Australian soil.
Beyond these gestures, it would appear that Susilo knows
exactly what he needs to step up the economic development of his
country.
He came to Australia not to beg for assistance but to seek the
return of foreign investors to Indonesia. He is determined to
provide a firmer leadership with a more aggressive stance on
tackling rising unemployment, corruption and terrorism.
He signed an agreement with Howard to open a new era in
bilateral relationship that "will create a vast area of
democratic peace and cooperation between the largest archipelago
on the equator and the great continent down under".
He received a pledge that a new security agreement will be
negotiated in the next few months.
He also received assurance from Australia that it will not
support independence movements in the Indonesian provinces of
West Papua and Aceh but will support the territorial integrity of
Indonesia.
Susilo also spoke directly to investors and the business
community, and got funding for 600 post-graduate scholarships for
Indonesians to study in Australian universities.
That all these were agreed upon in such a short visit is
indeed remarkable. And Susilo did it in a cordial manner without
reopening old wounds.
But the real test on his action to woo Western society will
depend, to some extent, on the perception of his own people. Will
they accept what appears to be Australia's possible influence in
their way of life?
Susilo has to win the hearts and minds of his own people but
so far his visit to Australia has failed to excite the Indonesian
media.