Prospect and pitfalls in Australia-RI ties

Prospect and pitfalls in Australia-RI ties

Ali Alatas, Former Foreign Minister, Perth, Australia

Part 1 of 2

I have been asked to share with you some thoughts on the Australia -- Indonesia relationship and considering Perth's proximity to Indonesia and its many-sided links with my country, this is just the right place to do it.

For some time now, especially since the events in the aftermath of the popular consultation in East Timor, Indonesian -- Australian relations are again at a low ebb. I say "again", because the situation is reminiscent of the situation in early 1988, when I became foreign minister and inherited a state of Indonesia -- Australia relations that was characterized by tensions and deep mutual animosities.

A major cause of that situation then, which is also regrettably a major factor in the situation today, is the question of East Timor. Moreover, today, as it was then, the differences between the two sides are further exacerbated by the exaggerations and misrepresentations indulged in by the mass media on both sides and by the often intemperate statements of some political leaders in both countries.

In order to improve the present state of relations, it is important first to attempt an objective appraisal of what the main reasons were that caused the relations to sour.

As concerns Indonesia, I think there was a genuine and widespread sense of deep disappointment and even "betrayal" because of what was perceived as an over-zealous and often rather smug attitude on the part of the Australian government in engaging itself in the formation, despatch and operation of the Interfet (International Force in East Timor).

In Indonesia's perception, the Australian government, unlike other critics of Indonesia's East Timor policy, had always been basically a supporter of that policy. Hence, Australia's change of policy, the conduct of certain Australian nationals while working for the Unamet (United Nations Mission in East Timor) and, subsequently, Australia's gung-ho attitude, in the launching of Interfet, hurt the feelings not only of the Indonesian government but also of many segments of Indonesian society.

On the other hand, there was also widespread misunderstanding and incomprehension among the Indonesian public and media with regard to the actual United Nations procedures pertaining to the establishment of a multi-national force (MNF) under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, as distinct from a UN peace-keeping force.

Thus, there was misunderstanding about the need to have MNF troops as quickly as possible on the ground in East Timor; about the fact that in a multinational force troop, contributing countries pay for the cost of their own contribution instead of it being shared by the entire membership of the UN; and about Australia assuming command of the MNF, called Interfet, which is a consequence of it being the most ready and providing the largest contingent to the multinational force.

Furthermore, in Australia's perception the Indonesian government, or at least its armed forces, seemed unwilling rather than unable to stop the burning and killing in East Timor after the results of the popular consultation were publicized, thus causing a public outcry in Australia.

It did not help that some of the media and non government organizations on both sides then fanned the flames of controversy through often highly sensational reporting and commentaries.

It is true that recently, a number of encouraging developments have taken place which hopefully would augur well for repairing the damaged bilateral ties. The visit of then president Abdurrahman Wahid to Australia last June, although largely symbolic, was important in laying the foundations for rapprochement.

This was preceded by the convening last December of the several times postponed Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Forum, which succeeded in launching a number of important cooperative projects in trade, investment, health and legal affairs, thus bringing about a much improved atmosphere for further dialog.

And the return visit by Prime Minister John Howard in August, the first visit by a foreign head of government since the installation of President Megawati Soekarnoputri, further solidified this trend.

However, we should not underestimate the degree of sensitiveness that still affects our relationship and we should guard against the notion that the present nadir in our relationship could be overcome by a few summit meetings, no matter how well intentioned. I believe that the hurt feelings among some segments of Indonesian society as well as the perennial prejudice among some groups in Australia are running too deep for us to expect such overnight results.

Managing that relationship and nurturing it back to its original strength will prove to be a delicate process, requiring sensitive and sensible diplomacy on the part of both governments, constructive interaction between the two peoples and the development of concrete, cooperative ventures in as many fields as possible.

When we faced a similar situation in 1988, then foreign minister Gareth Evans and I agreed that while acknowledging that differences of view on the East Timor issue may continue between us, we should not allow this issue, or any other single issue, to dominate our bilateral relations as a whole. Instead, we agreed to consciously and concretely develop other aspects and fields of cooperation and thus provide added ballast to these relations.

Then, if and when disturbances were to occur, caused by differences or problems, which between neighbors will inevitably crop up from time to time, the added weight and enhanced interest developed on a variety of other aspects and fields would be strong and diversified enough to overcome those temporary shocks. I strongly believe, that this approach is as valid and viable today as it proved to be 12 years ago.

This article is based on the writer's address on Nov. 5, at a luncheon held by the AustralAsia Centre of the Asia Society in Perth.