RI backs Australia for ASEM membership

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)