RI, Australia share close ties

The recent visits of Australian Prime Minister John Howard and an Australian political party leader to Indonesia, whether they were welcome guests or not, has shown that relations between the two neighboring countries are close. It also shows that there is great mutual interest between the two nations, although some may see it as meddling in the country's internal affairs.

In this light, therefore, the Bali blasts should be seen as a tragedy that was not wanted by either side.

What needs to be mentioned here is the fact that Indonesia, just like Australia, has managed to keep its currency stable against the U.S. dollar, and this seems to be part of the key to maintaining economic stability.

GANDHI SUKARDI, Jakarta