RI-Australian relationship at new high, but concerns remain

RI-Australian relationship at new high, but concerns remain

Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Tanjung Benoa, Bali

Government officials and businesspeople from Australia and
Indonesia would likely agree that there has been a recent
renaissance in relations between the two countries, but Indonesia
still sees some obstacles that need addressing.

The quick Australian response to the natural disasters in Aceh
and Nias, and the recent visit by President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono to Australia have pushed the relationship between the
two countries to new heights.

Marking this latest chapter in relations, the Indonesian and
Australian governments signed a comprehensive agreement to
strengthen ties between their governments, peoples and
businesses.

However, there are still a number of contentious issues that
must be addressed before they derail these improved ties. These
issues include the frequent travel warnings issued by the
Australian government advising its citizens against travel to
Indonesia.

Jakarta also has voiced displeasure with the lengthy process
Indonesians must go through to obtain a visa for Australia, while
the Indonesian government grants Australians a visa on arrival.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie
expressed his displeasure over the repeated issuance of travel
warnings and the treatment of Indonesians seeking visas to
Australia during the opening of the two-day Indonesia-Australia
Business Conference here on Monday.

"It is important that we push for the freer movement of
people between the two countries," he said during the conference,
adding that the travel warnings issued by Canberra did not
facilitate this.

Australia has issued several travel warning to its citizens
since the Oct. 12, 2002, Bali bombings that left over 200, mostly
Australians, dead. Before the bombings, Australians viewed
Indonesia as a favorite holiday and business destination.

Australia's policy of the detention and rapid repatriation of
Indonesian fishermen who stray into Indonesia's waters is another
sensitive issue.

"We need to work on the nuts-and-bolts of negotiations and
agreeing on courses of action," Indonesian Ambassador to
Australia Imron Cotan said during the Indonesia-Australia
Business Conference here on Monday.

John Ingleson, a professor of history at New South Wales
University in Sydneave, painted a gloomy picture of cultural ties
between the two nations.

The expert on the 20th century political and social history of
Indonesia said, "ties between Indonesia and Australia are not yet
natural."

He said there needed to be more of an effort to boost mutual
understanding in the areas of religion, culture and politics.
"These factors have always been difficult issues for many
Australians."

Ingelson said very few Australians understood the complexity
of Indonesia's social and cultural conditions. "The majority of
Australians have a very simplistic view of Islam."

A better understanding of these issues will help bridge any
differences and misunderstandings that can hamper ties, he said.

Both countries must work harder and set ambitious targets to
create a closer and mutually beneficial relationship.

"Indonesia should restructure its economy, eliminating
corruption in order to attract more investors from Australia,"
the professor added.