RI-Dutch ties grow into maturity
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)