Tragedy hangs over SBY's Australia trip

Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Darwin

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono began a two-day visit to Australia on Sunday, expressing sadness over the deaths of nine Australian military personnel in a helicopter crash during relief work on earthquake-devastated Nias island.

"I wish to convey my sincerest sympathy and deepest condolences to the government of Australia, its people and in particular the bereaved families, in the hope they will be able to weather this unbearable suffering," Susilo said during a press conference on Sunday before leaving for Australia.

After spending two days in Australia, Susilo will continue on to New Zealand and Timor Leste.

The Australian navy helicopter carrying up to 11 people crashed on Saturday, killing nine and seriously injuring two others.

Susilo called Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Sunday morning to express his condolences, as well as to reiterate the government's promise to do everything to speed up the evacuation of the injured and the repatriation of the deceased.

This is Susilo's first visit to Australia as President. The trip was delayed by four days following the devastating 8.7- magnitude earthquake off Sumatra island's coast last Monday that killed at least 594 people.

Susilo said the visit was not aimed at initiating a wide- ranging defense pact, but rather at improving cooperation in dealing with terrorism and transnational crime, with Susilo and Howard scheduled to sign an agreement on the matter.

He said this cooperation with Australia should not be interpreted as an attempt to create a joint defense pact between the two countries.

"The security and defense pact that is about to be signed will only cover cooperation in counter-terrorism, transnational crime and joint military training," Susilo said before flying to Australia.

"Therefore, the cooperation should not be interpreted in the sense that we are going to form a defense front. It is more about improving already existing cooperation."

In the security sector, Indonesia is scheduled to ink a bilateral agreement with Australia on Monday on a civil aviation security capacity building project. It is also expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in social protection policies and programs.

The two countries are also scheduled to sign an agreement on scientific research and technology development.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie said the cooperation in the economic sector would cover financial assistance for reconstructing the tsunami-stricken Aceh and parts of North Sumatra.