RI-Australia ties stronger than ever

RI-Australia ties stronger than ever

JAKARTA (JP): The rapport between President Soeharto and Prime
Minister Paul Keating may be the main force behind the strong
relations between the two countries, but Australian Ambassador
Allan Taylor insists that ties have actually moved beyond the
upper crust of government officials.

Speaking at a discussion at The Jakarta Post, the Australian
ambassador recounted the strengthening ties between Jakarta and
Canberra and how they have helped overcome the political storms
that occasionally crop up.

"The structures that have been set in place go beyond the
people who set the structure in place," he replied when asked
whether he believed the seemingly close ties would persist.

Relations between Indonesia and Australia have been precarious
for several years.

From once being perceived as a security threat, Indonesia has
often been the target of Australian criticisms which at times put
the improving relationship in jeopardy.

The latest incident was last year when Indonesia withdrew the
nomination of Lt. Gen. (ret.) H.B.L. Mantiri as ambassador to
Canberra after public demands in Australia that he apologize for
a past remark he made about East Timor. At the time, the
withdrawal threatened to put the relationship in peril as Jakarta
announced it would leave the post vacant indefinitely.

Many have pointed out that each time contentious circumstances
arise, the overall relationship has remained secure due to the
understanding and friendship established between Indonesia's
President Soeharto and Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating.

The attention given Indonesia is evident in Keating's six
visits here in four years.

This personal approach was enhanced further by the synergy
between the two countries' foreign ministers, Indonesia's Ali
Alatas and Australia's Gareth Evans, to build a relationship
which would not be swayed by individual or minor squabbles.

As Taylor himself described, the strength and wealth of the
relationship "goes beyond individual governments".

He explained that the strengthening in relations really began
to blossom in the late 1980s. From that point on, there has not
only been stronger ties but also a broadening of the relationship
which involves more "people-to-people contact".

Taylor pointed out how the number of Indonesians studying at
Australian universities has grown each year. In 1995 some 6,000
student visas were given out by the Australian Embassy here,
while the previous year it was 5,000.

In the Australian school curriculum Bahasa Indonesia is
included as one of the optional foreign languages, along with
Japanese, Chinese and Korean.

Commercial ties are also booming with about 300 Australian
companies doing business and investing here.

Taylor said that much of Indonesia's attractiveness for
Australian companies is due to the stability provided by the New
Order government.

"That has been recognized by Australia," said the ambassador,
who has held the post here since April 1993.

He added that while trade has shown a healthy growth,
Australian investments here have been less robust.

Australia is Indonesia's ninth largest investor with total
approved investment plans of about US$5.9 billion at the end of
last year.

Speaking of the mutual security agreement signed in December,
Taylor said it is "not threat-based" and not directed against any
country.

He maintained that it encapsulates the strong cooperation that
has been going on so far and actually adds to the regional
security structure.

The agreement signed in Jakarta by Alatas and Evans fosters
cooperation and dialog between the countries, along with the
possibility of more joint exercises by the two countries' armed
forces.

Taylor anticipates that with the mutual cooperation and
contacts established in all fields, future differences that might
arise can be handled much better. (mds)