Prospects and pitfalls in Australia-RI ties
Prospects and pitfalls in Australia-RI ties
Ali Alatas, Former Foreign Minister, Perth, Australia
Part 2 of 2
As may be recalled, through this approach both sides
consciously and actively developed and agreed on a number of
accords and cooperative endeavors in various fields, in trade,
communications, tourism, science and technology etc. The
Australia -- Indonesia Institute was established in Australia.
Many outstanding issues were resolved such as the delimitation of
the sea boundary and the Exclusive Economic Zone.
Agreement was also reached on the establishment of the
Indonesia -- Australia Ministerial Forum which met once every 18
months to discuss a wide spectrum of bilateral issues. Two
achievements, which drew rather wide publicity at the time but
which have now been either superseded by events or abrogated, are
the Agreement on the Timor Gap Zone of Cooperation and the
Agreement on Security Cooperation.
Also, in the regional and international context, enhanced
Australian -- Indonesian cooperation yielded notable achievements
on such issues as the Cambodian peace negotiations, the
establishment of APEC and various international security and
disarmament questions.
In facing the present situation, I believe we should follow a
similar tack of bolstering existing and developing new areas of
cooperation in order to further add weightage to our
relationship.
Of course, as many have pointed out, there may be deeper
causes underlying the present strain in our relations.
Undeniably, there are basic differences between our two countries
and our two societies, differences sourced in culture, tradition,
history and socio-political systems. But this is not unique to
Indonesian -- Australian relations, and does not apply to our
bilateral relations only.
Both our countries have relations with scores of other nations
where the same cultural "gaps" apply, yet no similar brittleness
is to be found in these relationships as compared to ours.
Hence, it seems to me that apart from the obvious, long-term need
to nurture deeper mutual understanding and appreciation of our
cultural differences.
There is, in the shorter term, clearly the need also to free
ourselves of lingering prejudices and pre-conceived notions, to
consciously develop at least greater tolerance and sensitivity
towards each other's aspirations and cultural values, and a
greater sense of proportion and objectivity in viewing,
appraising and reporting on our respective conditions.
Australia's prominent role in Interfet has unfortunately also
affected the perceptions of some of its Southeast Asian
neighbors, as that role was seen to be a bit too eager and rather
insensitive to Indonesia's feelings. Furthermore, comments at
that time by some Australian leaders as to how the Government
viewed its relationship with Asia (although mostly directed at
the policies of the previous Government) also sent the wrong
messages to Australia's neighbors.
These resulted in renewed scepticism about Australia's
sincerity in desiring to develop a policy of comprehensive
engagement with Asia, especially Southeast Asia, and in the
perception that Australia had reversed or at least backtracked
from that policy. Hence, after the general elections, the new
Government, whether Labour or Liberal, will need to make its
position clear on this matter in order to dispel such negative
perceptions.
For a considerable time to come, Indonesian -- Australian
relations will continue to be colored by two sensitive triangular
relationships: the Indonesia -- East Timor -- Australia and the
Indonesia -- Papua Niugini -- Australia triangles. The need here
will be to judiciously manage these two sets of triangular
relationships so as to prevent them from becoming potential
sources of misunderstandings and tensions.
In this context, the proposed Southwest Pacific Forum may be
helpful in providing a multilateral forum for continuing frank
dialogue and cooperation, including in the political field, and
in serving as a mechanism for preventive diplomacy. At present
the Indonesian Foreign Ministry is undertaking consultations and
preparations directed towards the possible creation of a loosely
organized forum rather than a full-fledged association, initially
comprising Papua Niugini, independent Timor Lorosae, the
Philippines, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia.
The East Timor experience has also shown how public opinion,
channeled through NGO's and the media, can have a powerful
influence on diplomacy, especially in the Western democracies.
Both Australia and Indonesia should be aware of this important
and sensitive aspect in the management of their bilateral
relationship, especially at this time when Indonesia is still
facing separatist pressures and religious and ethnic turmoil in
several of its provinces.
Another reality also needs to be taken into account. In going
through its present transition from authoritarian rule to
democracy, Indonesia is also undergoing a temporary
transformation from an active and dependable player in regional
affairs to a country seemingly wholly preoccupied with its own
problems.
Such an Indonesia becomes a more unpredictable factor, both in
its bilateral relations and in the regional context. This will
require not only greater understanding from its friends but also
a certain measure of patience.
Spanning more than five decades, the Australian -- Indonesian
relationship has had its ups and downs, its highlights and
setbacks.
Today, it may again be at a low point, but given the inherent
goodwill that has always characterized relations between our two
peoples, and the political determination of our two Governments,
I am sure we will soon be able to overcome the present malaise.
Let us therefore build even greater substance and diversity
into our relationship so as to make it robust enough to withstand
the occasional shocks and bumps on the road that we have to
travel together as two nations destined by geography to be next-
door neighbors.
This article is excerpted from his speech delivered on Nov.5,
before the AustralAsia Centre of the Asia Society, in Perth.