---------------------------------------------------------- Visit Indonesia Daily News Online HomePage: http://www.indo-news.com/ Please Visit Our Sponsor http://www.indo-news.com/cgi-bin/ads1 ---------------------------------------------------------- The Australian, October 29, 1999 Wahid shows skill in a difficult role THE unexpected ascension of Abdurrahman Wahid as the fisrt democratically elected President of Indonesia has already signalled an eventual healing of Australia-Indonesia relations. If the pace of restoration is slow it will nonetheless, be encouraged by a leader who shows every sign of following a policy of pragmatic reconciliation. On the domestic front restoring peace in Indonesia's regional flashpoints especially Aceh and Ambon- as well as West and East Timor--shows the President's desire for national cohesion. And, in the appointment of Alwi Shihab as Foreign Minister, he has indicated a determination to have to level head in charge of the sensitive relations with the rest of the world , not least Australia. Mr Shihab has the President's confidence, is a member of his National Awakening Party and, with the US education and academic status, knows tha language of effective diplomacy. If relations between our two countries have cooled to a point of frigidity, Mr Shihab is a realist who recognises that the two countries have much to offer one another. The President's early meeting with our admirably cautious ambassador, John McCarthy, augurs well for the future. Our involvement with the economic health of the Indonesian republic also needa reassurance. The appointment of Kwik Kian Gie as Economics Minister is another sign of the President's determination to stabilise fiscal policy. His advice to Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, before the elections, revealed a cool head under pressure. Our past association with the Indonesian military had also been shaken and the tensions with TNI in East Timor did nothing to allay our alarms. But Mr. Wahid had made future relations easier by the cleansing of the defence arm of Indonesia through the appointment of a civilian Defence Minister. Of cource, Australia has often laid claim to a special relationship with Indonesia, and has sometimes been reluctant to offer critism on matters of corruption or human rights. But, while asserting a resolute nationalism and an Indonesian ability to achieve viability by its own efforts, Mr Wahid has declared war on corruption. He has also taken action to ensure every Indonesian's access to human rights. Both determinations echo our own convictions about democracy. But our wisest course is to be supportive of the new President's polices without self-righteous admonitions. His generous sharing of presidential authority with his political opponent, Megawati, whose much larger percentage of parliamentary seats might have caused tension, shows both skill and wisdom. Australia should welcome all these developments with relief and faith in Indonesia's future. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 9 Nov 1999 jam 05:52:23 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
