Terrorism bolsters Australia's ties with RI

Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Indonesia and Australia, long known for their love-hate relationship, are now again seeing a period of unity -- at least for the time being -- by a common concern: terrorism.

Following the last few years of apparently wavering support on this issue from former president Megawati Soekarnoputri, Australia seems to have set its faith in President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The two countries have worked closely to fight terror since the Oct. 12, 2002 bombing in Bali that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.

Another suicide bombing outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta on Sept. 9 this year -- just 11 days before the election runoff here and about a month until the Australian election -- stressed that country's vulnerability as the closest, non-Asian neighbor to the world's largest Muslim nation. The bombing killed 11 Indonesians, including the bomber, and injured more than 180.

Susilo's victory and Prime Minister John Howard's reelection has prompted Australia to initiate a new strategy in bilateral relations.

After he was reelected, Howard's first overseas trip was to Jakarta to attend Susilo's inauguration in mid-October, when he told the press that he believed Susilo was someone with whom he could do business.

The two heads of state met again in November, during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Chile and then the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Laos.

Susilo has had much exposure among the Australian public, as he visited that country in his capacity as Megawati's top security minister as part of the Bali bombing investigation.

Perhaps Susilo owes some of his credibility among Australians in the war on terror to another perception: that Megawati had not done enough to bring to justice the masterminds of the Bali bombing. He has also prioritized the arrest of "terror twins" Dr. Azahari and Noordin M. Top in his first 100 days in office.

Meeting on the sidelines of the recent APEC summit, the two leaders agreed to address concerns about defense and security to prevent possible misunderstandings in the future. They also underscored the need for their police, attorney general's offices and intelligence bodies to sustain the bilateral cooperation.

Only two weeks after this Chile meeting, Australia increased its antiterrorism assistance to Indonesia from A$10 million to A$20 million (US$15.4 million) over the next five years, mostly allotted to Jakarta Center for Law Enforcement Cooperation, an antiterrorist training center in Semarang. Australia sponsored the establishment of the Center which was inaugurated by Megawati in July.

Canberra, which is often regarded as the deputy sheriff to the United States, also plans to strengthen the capabilities of airports, customs and immigration offices in Indonesia.

Australia and Indonesia have had a rocky history, particularly on security and political issues, hitting a record in 1999, when Australia led a multinational peacekeeping force to East Timor following the former Indonesian province's independence referendum.

This year, Canberra drew up aggressive ideas on boosting its defense capabilities in the war on terror. However, this was seen as an offensive stance, with the strongest criticism coming from Malaysia and Indonesia -- that it was a violation of sovereignty.

Australia's plans include creating what it believes would be the most lethal fleet of fighter jets in Southeast Asia by equipping its aircraft with long-range cruise missiles. The planned missiles would be able to destroy air and sea targets up to 400 kilometers away.

Canberra also warned it would take preemptive strikes against overseas terrorists by deploying two police teams to the source to stop them (terrorists) from reaching Australian soil.

The announcement of the plans came only a day after the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, an independent think-tank set up the government, said in a report that Australians believed Indonesia posed the greatest threat to their national security.

Howard quickly clarified to his neighbors that the plan was a part of its defense policy.

Aside from security issues, however, the two neighbors have a relatively good relationship.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda, who has retained the post under Susilo's government, confirmed that the two countries had signed documents on bilateral cooperation to overcome people smuggling and trafficking, and had cohosting an interreligious dialog.

Meanwhile, in education, a large number of Indonesian students pursue advanced studies in Australia; while many Australian Institutions have provided financial aid to Indonesian students pursuing a postgraduate degree.

Australia is one of Indonesia's largest foreign investors with an approved total investment of about US$798.3 million since 2000, mostly in the mining, financial services and beverages sectors. Dozens of Australian companies operate in Indonesia, and their existence has contributed to the growth and recovery of the national economy.

Last year, Indonesian exports to Australia reached $6.1 billion, and Australian imports $3.25 billion.

Australia and Indonesia organized recently an interfaith dialog bringing together 124 religious leaders from 13 Asia- Pacific countries.

These events may serve as a beginning of a new chapter of the bilateral cooperation. One of the pressing issue these days, as both countries have suggested, is to find the best approach to fight terrorism.

In co-hosting an interfaith dialog with Indonesia, Australia has also shown that it appreciated tolerance and encouraged dialog, preferably in the war against terror. By providing fund for the antiterrorist training center, Australia has indicated that it preferred a legal over a military approach for justice.

Australia is also considering a new security pact with Indonesia to replace a treaty between the two countries that was scrapped when Canberra sent troops into Dili.

At the end of the day, however, only time will tell whether this approach might stave off suspicions and correct the misperceptions of the two countries.