RI-Aussie friendship

I have been following the news in the Australian media concerning events that have taken place in East Timor recently. I am concerned about the suffering of the Timorese people, and as an Australian, I am pleased that my government has sent soldiers to keep the peace and protect those people. I am especially pleased that there has been a reasonable amount of cooperation between our governments and military.

Going by what I read in the news, it seems that the relationship between our two countries is strained at the moment. This is a situation that I am sure no one in Australia or Indonesia wants to see. We have been friends for a long time now and I trust that we will always remain friends.

We in Australia value our friendship so highly that most of us would lay down our lives if necessary to protect them. You are a wonderful people and I honor you as our friends.

Furthermore, I believe that I speak for most Australians when I congratulate Indonesia for allowing a referendum in East Timor. I believe that this act of goodwill has brought great honor to your government, military and people.

So, to my Indonesian friends I say: Please accept my offer of friendship as an Australian.

I hope that some day our government and military leaders will meet face to face, as friends and neighbors, to settle our differences. May our two nations show the whole world that the way to peace is by nourishing friendships and honoring and trusting each other.

KEN PAVY

Penrith, Australia