RI backs Australia for ASEM membership
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas reaffirmed yesterday Indonesia's support for Australia's admission to the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).
"I think it is important for me to state once again that such a perception (that Indonesia does not support Australia's entry) is not true and not based on fact," Alatas told journalists after accompanying Shane Stone, the chief minister of Australia's Northern Territory, at a meeting with President Soeharto at the latter's residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.
Alatas made his remarks in response to a newspaper report which claimed that Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer was "personally hurt" because Indonesia was not supportive of his country's bid to join ASEM during the summit in London earlier this month.
President Soeharto, who did not attend the summit, was represented by Vice President B.J. Habibie.
The Kompas daily quoted a source yesterday as saying that Downer conveyed his message to the Indonesian embassy in Canberra last week.
Downer reportedly expressed disappointment because Canberra had been especially supportive of Indonesia during its time of crisis and he himself had tried hard to convince the international community, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to be more flexible on Indonesia.
"We do appreciate Australia, especially in the context where we are facing economic crisis and monetary difficulties," Alatas remarked.
He asserted that Indonesia had never been hesitant about Australia's membership in the 25-nation grouping of Asian and European nations.
"Indonesia has never been hesitant in giving its support.
"As you know, on the Asian side all but one has agreed to admit Australia and New Zealand together with India and Pakistan. (All) except for Malaysia which still finds it hard to accept and thus no consensus was reached," Alatas explained.
Malaysia does not believe that Australia and New Zealand are part of Asia.
Alatas noted that although geographically the two countries do not belong to Asia their economic interests are in line with Asia's.
"Therefore it is logical if they join ASEM on the side of Asia," Alatas noted.
Separately Australian Defense Minister Ian MacLachlan disclosed yesterday that the two countries' military would jointly distribute relief aid to needy people in Irian Jaya.
The relief operation, expected to cost up to US$6.5 million, is aimed at helping thousands of people facing famine there, MacLachlan said.
At least 500 people died of drought-related illnesses there last year.
"Australia will provide some further drought-relief assistance to Indonesia, including the provision of some aircraft and personnel," he said after meeting Soeharto yesterday.
Minister of Defense/Armed Forces Chief Gen. Wiranto accompanied his counterpart during the meeting. (prb)