PPIP marks anniversary of Indonesia-Portugal ties
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesia-Portugal Friendship Association (PPIP) celebrates its fourth anniversary today.
The association, chaired by President Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, was established in 1994 as a bridge of communication between the Indonesian and Portuguese peoples.
"We (Indonesian people) have no problem with the people of Portugal," the association's deputy chairman Theo L. Sambuaga told The Jakarta Post here yesterday.
"The only problem is the Portuguese government, which always promotes negative views about the Indonesian government."
He said the association would continue to strive to improve the relationship between the peoples of both countries.
"Our activities have received positive responses from the Portuguese people," he said. "In the end, the problem will rest with the Portuguese government only."
PPIP members are Indonesians concern about developing mutual understanding and better relationships with the Portuguese people.
The Portuguese branch of the association, the Portugal- Indonesia Friendship Association (AAPI), was established in Portugal on Oct. 23, 1993.
The Portuguese-based association is chaired by Manuel Joaquim Rodrigues Macedo. Gen. Carlos Galvano de Melo, a prominent Portuguese military official, sits on one of the association's commissions.
Speaking about harsh criticisms of Indonesia's human rights record in East Timor, Theo said he could understand that there were still weaknesses in the ongoing development program in East Timor.
"There will always be weaknesses in every development program," he said.
The association's secretary-general, Alex Dinuth, said that in an effort to forge closer ties the association would conduct a series of exchange programs in Portugal this year.
"We are planning an Indonesian cuisine week in Portugal, as a response to the Portugal cuisine week, held here last August," he said.
"We will also hold cultural exchange programs, and dialogs and seminars on our bilateral relationship with Portugal," he added.
Meanwhile, Director General of Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nugroho Wisnumurti hailed PPIP's efforts to help to correct negative views of Indonesia.
"PPIP's establishment was obviously a significant measure taken by the Indonesian government," he said.
He said it had also provided significant development in creating room for dialog with the Portuguese government.
"Any effort to develop mutual understanding between the peoples of Indonesia and Portugal is considerably important for the betterment of the two countries' ailing relationship."
Nugroho claimed that the strained relationship between the two countries had been created by the Portuguese government, through its negative publications on and promotion of the East Timor issue.
"The Portuguese government's efforts have influenced its people in developing negative opinions about East Timor affairs," he said.
He said the Portuguese government still could not accept the fact that East Timor was now part of Indonesia.
"For us, the East Timor dispute is over," he said.
The former Portuguese colony was integrated into Indonesia in 1976 and became its 27th province, but the United Nations still considers Lisbon the administrative power there.
Nugroho condemned the Portuguese government's closed-door policy in relation to PPIP's activities.
"The Portuguese government's hostile manner will not just affect Indonesian interests, it will also affect their own," he said.
He suggested the Portuguese government make a courageous decision and compromise in order to settle the East Timor dispute.
Nugroho also suggested the Indonesian government consider an alternative strategy toward development in East Timor which would consider noneconomic aspects in its East Timor development strategy. (imn)