Observers say Howard's remarks 'political ploy'

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Canberra's open criticism of Indonesia over people-smuggling into Australia and its stance on the U.S. campaign against terrorism are merely political maneuvers by Prime Minister John Howard ahead of the Nov. 10 national elections, observers said here on Friday.

Former minister of defense Juwono Sudarsono criticized Howard's political diplomacy, warning it could backfire should he continue making negative statements about Indonesia.

"Howard shows his own seat of discontent by putting Indonesia in the spotlight. And we, here in Indonesia, must understand that his remarks are part of his electoral campaign. But Howard should also be reminded that his 'megaphone diplomacy' can backfire," Juwono said.

Supporting Juwono's remarks, Reni Winata, director of the Australian Studies Center at the University of Indonesia, said raising the issues of Middle Eastern illegal immigrants and the campaign against terrorism would increase Howard's popularity in Australia ahead of the elections.

She said the issues were quite an effective ploy for Howard's coalition government to gain popularity ahead the upcoming polls.

"However, Indonesia should not be trapped by this political discourse in Australia, which is in the interests of Howard's ruling conservative coalition," she told The Jakarta Post.

"Such an unconstructive debate will evaporate after the federal elections on Nov. 10," Reni added.

Juwono told the Post that "Indonesia itself must make a friendly statement about our principle through the press -- as Howard did before going to Shanghai (for an APEC summit)."

When asked whether the worsening relationship between President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Howard would affect the two countries' relations in the future, Juwono said that such relations could also be maintained through the people, society or the cultures of the two nations.

Believing that the tension between the two governments was only temporary, he said he was optimistic about better relations should both governments forge a mutual understanding.

Commenting on the strained ties between the two countries, Reni suggested that Indonesia "broaden diplomatic lobbies" with Australia, including through minor political parties there, rather than focus on diplomacy with major ones.

The soured relations between Jakarta and Canberra were thrust into the spotlight on Thursday after Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda accused the Howard government of botching diplomatic talks between the two neighbors.

"There is a certain tendency in Australia to communicate through public diplomacy rather than quiet (diplomacy). This is certainly in many ways unacceptable," Hassan told Australia's SBS Television in Sydney on Wednesday night.

Hassan said Howard was insensitive when he criticized Indonesia's lukewarm support for the U.S. antiterrorist campaign, and his claim that Middle Easterners and Afghans seeking asylum in Australia were Jakarta's responsibility.

Reni gave support to Hassan's proposal to hold talks between relevant countries to find a solution to the problem of people smuggling into Australia via Indonesia.

"It's a good idea. But we should first formulate our own constructive ways of handling the movement of people -- what's our problems and the interests," Reni said.

She added that it was Australia, not Indonesia, that should play a key role in coping with the illegal immigrant issue. "It's actually not urgent for Indonesia, but for Australia."

Meanwhile, former minister of foreign affairs Ali Alatas told the media in Melbourne on Friday that Howard's criticism of Indonesia's stance on the U.S.-led military strikes against Afghanistan was too strong.

Relations between the two countries, according to Alatas, are at a new low.

Antara quoted him as saying that in an effort to forge better ties, both governments should avoid openly criticizing each another.