---------------------------------------------------------- Visit Indonesia Daily News Online HomePage: http://www.indo-news.com/ Please Visit Our Sponsor http://www.indo-news.com/cgi-bin/ads1 ---------------------------------------------------------- Antara, 27 Oktober 1999 Wahid-A'lia: Let Things With Australia Cool Down First, Says President Jakarta, Oct 26 (Antara)-President Abdurrahman Wahid said Tuesday the Australian government had shown a positive intention to improve its strained relations with Indonesia but he would rather let things cool down first. "Relations with Australia are very important. The Australian governmennt has already shown a positive intention to mend them. Prime Minister (John) Howard has already made a good statement showing they understand our situation." the president said. "To be frank, we are now therefore well-disposed toward them. But what I mean is that we should let things between our two countries cool down first," the president said at a press conference following the announcement of the lineup of his cabinet. "After things have cooled down, we will take further steps," he said, adding that what the steps would be depended on Australia. "It will be up to Australia. Do they or do they not realize that they have erred. I just want to be frank. I don't need to mince words or use diplomatic language. I am using the people's language," the president said. Earlier, at a meeting with officials of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the president said that Indonesia's recently appointed ambassador to Australia would soon leave for his post in Canberra. Former President BJ Habibie's administration had put off the ambassador's departure to his post following the deterioriation in the relations between Indonesia and Australia. The Habibie government took the step as a protest against Australia's excessive involvement in the East Timor crisis. President Wahid said, if Australia wised to be friends with Indonesia and its population of 200 million, Indonesians would reciprocate. But conversely, he added, "if they want to separate from us, we won't mind." He said in its preparedness to be friends with Australia, Indonesia could not be expected to be willing to sacrifice its national dignity and independence. To greet Xanana The president disclosed that outgoing Foreign Minister Ali Alatas had informed him that East Timor leader Xanana Gusmao would visit Jakarta in the near future. "I Hope this is true. And if so, I myself and Megawati (vice- president) will greet him at the airport as a gesture of friendship between our two countries," Wahid said. He said such appreciation is crucial in order to inform the East Timorese that Indonesia respected international law wholeheartedly. The president said he had just signed a letter addressed to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to inform the latter that Indonesia had terminated its rule over East Timor. "Thus, the UN can soon take over (the administration over East Timor) so that that new state of Timor Leste can be established thereafter." he said. Ministers' wealth On calls that Indonesian cabinet ministers should declare their personal wealth, the president said he agreed with the idea. "With the announcement we will know who are already rich and who are still poor," Wahid said. About the inclusion of a few New Order figures in his Cabinet lineup, the president said he formed the cabinet based on "compromises". "In this matter, Amien Rais, Megawati, Akbar Tandjung, Wiranto and I will each personally vouch for the integrity and capability of those appointed as ministers," he said. (T/PUS-01/NN-09/NN-06/INT-AJM-21:30/NN01/21:39/TB02) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 1 Nov 1999 jam 02:06:01 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
