PPIP marks anniversary of Indonesia-Portugal ties
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)