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.