RI-Dutch ties grow into maturity
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto signaled an era of strengthening friendship between Indonesia and the Netherlands yesterday, marking an end to the tumultuous state of relations of the past two years.
Upon receiving the Letter of Credence from the new Dutch ambassador, Paul Ritze Brouwer, at Merdeka Palace, Soeharto said the century old ties marked with high and low periods have now evolved into a relationship founded on mutual respect.
"That relationship has now grown into maturity, bringing the two nations closer," Soeharto stated.
Brouwer replaces outgoing ambassador J.H.R.D. van Roijen who ended his two-year tenure as ambassador here last month.
A career diplomat, Brouwer served as Dutch ambassador to the West African state of Burkina Faso from 1986 to 1989.
"It will be a challenge for me to strengthen the relations between our two countries and to encourage and support the Netherlands' effort to participate in Indonesian dynamism," Brouwer told the president.
Brouwer's arrival here comes at a time when ties between Jakarta and The Hague are on an upward climb. This has been the trend since 1992.
That year Jakarta dissolved the Dutch-chaired Inter Governmental Group on Indonesia (IGGI), which disburses foreign aid to Indonesia, citing The Hague's interference in domestic matters as the reason.
A new aid group was formed under the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI), which includes former members of the IGGI, with the exception of Holland.
Relations have slowly begun to improve and were boosted this year by the arrival of then Dutch prime minister Ruud Lubbers.
References to the events of 1992 were omitted from yesterday's exchange of speeches, which were mostly laden with Soeharto's and Brouwer's statements of intent to enhance ties further.
Both Soeharto and Brouwer indicated the likelihood of Dutch Queen Beatrix visiting for Indonesia's 50th independence celebrations.
"I and the people of Indonesia await the arrival of Your Highness Queen Beatrix," Soeharto said.
Brouwer, in conveying Queen Beatrix's good wishes to Soeharto, said it was "in the knowledge that she hopes to pay a state visit to Indonesia next year."
Asserting The Hague's commitment to better ties further, Brouwer stressed that his government will not allow the integration of Europe's big market to disrupt relations with Indonesia.
The desire to strengthen relations was also evidenced in The Hague when on Sunday Dutch Development Minister Jan Pronk called for recognition of Aug. 17, 1945, as Indonesia's independence day, during which time the Netherlands was still colonial ruler.
Iran
Earlier yesterday, Soeharto also received credentials from the new Iranian ambassador, Sayed Mohsen Nabavi, who replaces the outgoing Asghar Ghoraishi.
In his address, Soeharto noted the important global roles both countries could play as members of the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and the Organization of Islamic Conference.
He went on to underline the necessity of bilateral cooperation in the context of overall South-South cooperation.
Nabavi reiterated the strategic importance of expanding bilateral relations.
Throughout his career Nabavi has held positions at various Iranian ministries. He was director of the Department of Islamic and Regional Fora and the Non-Aligned Movement at the Iranian foreign ministry before assuming his current posting. (mds)