President gives Australia the miss

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid on Monday said he would bypass Australia on his numerous trips abroad in the coming months, chiding Canberra of being "childish" in handling its relationship with Jakarta.

Speaking to journalists aboard an Air Force Boeing 707 on his way back from a summit of East Asian leaders in Manila, Abdurrahman said he would continue with "round the world" trips to lure investors and raise Indonesia's credibility abroad in the next few months.

However, the President balked and launched a stinging attack when queried over plans to visit Indonesia's southern neighbor.

He indicated his reluctance to go to Australia saying he would only go if Australia's leaders showed a more mature attitude to Indonesia.

"Regarding a visit to Australia, it would depend on whether Australia has ceased its childish attitude towards Indonesia. If not then I won't go there" he said.

Abdurrahman stressed that Indonesia would like to forge cordial relations with Australia, however it all depended on the attitude of the government there.

"We want to have good relations but it's really up to them. Are they still acting childish with us?" he queried.

Anti-Australia sentiment in Indonesia reached its peak following the Aug. 30 self-determination ballot in East Timor.

Many perceived Australia, one of the first countries to recognize East Timor's integration into Indonesia and the only country in the world to sign a legal treaty on the matter, as being overly zealous in trying to see it breakaway from the republic.

In particular, many felt annoyed about the widescale protests, boycotts and other insults against Indonesia following the East Timor vote.

The anti-Indonesian protests and boycotts were retaliated with rowdy protests against Australian government representative offices here with threats of boycotts also being mentioned.

The Indonesian government even decided to postpone for a brief period the departure of its new ambassador to Australia.

While deciding to skip Australia in the near future, he said he had no problem visiting Papua New Guinea.

"Of course, sometime in the near future," he said when asked by a journalist.

World Tour

During the media briefing, Abdurrahman revealed his plans to continue a "world tour" despite criticism that he should first resolve various matters before traveling abroad.

Abdurrahman has now spent about half of his first 40 days in office visiting 13 countries.

On Wednesday he will again leave the country -- this time for a three-day state visit to China.

He brushed off criticism about his frequent flights abroad saying that it was necessary as it was the most effective way to restore international market confidence in Indonesia.

He contended that Indonesia would only be able to lift itself out of the economic crisis if there was a steady stream of international investment.

"We need massive investment in our country. Therefore my duty in this first year is to go around the world," Abdurrahmam contended.

Of his departure to Beijing on Wednesday, Abdurrahman said that the decision to make it his first official state visit was due to China's decisive role in Asia.

"This is very important because although relations between Indonesia and China are quite good, there are also various complications," said the President without elaborating.

China openly expressed its concern over nationwide rioting in May last year which resulted in many Indonesians of Chinese descent fleeing abroad.

Abdurrahman has stated several times that he would like to see all those who fled return and help to build the country. He also underlined that he would not tolerate ethnic or religious discrimination.

Following China, it is expected that Abdurrahman will have his longest stay in Indonesia since becoming president.

He said that he would like to visit India after the end of Idul Fitri, or Lebaran as it is often referred to here, festivities in January.

"I think the visit to India can be after Lebaran, when exactly I don't know yet as it is still being discussed between the Indian Embassy and our representative in New Delhi," he said while stressing that India was a regional power.

He further added that he still did not know yet whether the state visit would be part of a series of visits which included Pakistan.

"In my view there should be an official visit to Pakistan, just like the two or three day visit to India," Abdurrahman remarked.

"For me India and Pakistan should both be equally respected". (prb/mds)