JAKARTA, Feb 7: Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Thursday witnessed the signing of a counter-terrorism agreement between his country and Indonesia, demonstrating the two neighbours could cooperate on international issues even as bilateral relations are strained.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said the agreement aimed at establishing a system of cooperation between the two countries on combating international terrorism, and was similar to an anti-terrorism pact signed among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
While in Indonesia on a three-day visit, Howard and Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri also agreed to launch an Australian-Indonesian dialogue, similar to an arrangement Australia already has with the United States.
The two countries will also set up a cultural exchange forum between Muslim leaders in both countries to enhance understanding about Islam.
Both initiatives were apparently designed to further better understanding between Australia and Indonesia — which have in the past proven a cultural battleground for Western versus Eastern values.
Howard arrived on Wednesday to a rather frosty reception in Jakarta, where nationalistic pride has often been rubbed the wrong way by Australia’s perceived tendency to interfere in Indonesia’s internal affairs.
Lower House Speaker Akbar Tanjung and People’s Consultative Assembly chairman Amien Rais both refused to meet with Howard to demonstrate Indonesia’s annoyance with his handling of Australian-Indonesian relations.
Indonesian leaders are still smarting from Howard’s past remarks that Australia was the “US representative” in the Asia Pacific, after it played a crucial role in restoring law and order in East Timor in 1999.
Some Indonesian legislators suspect Australia of now backing an independence movement in Papua province, according to reports. House deputy speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno on Tuesday disclosed the House had received information that Australia was backing a referendum in Papua, similar to the one of September 1999 in East Timor, in which the people voted overwhelmingly for independence from Jakarta.
At a press conference Thursday, Howard flatly denied that his government supported such a referendum for Papua.
“It’s not correct ... there is nothing that anyone can point to of substance that would support such a suggestion. It’s just wrong,” he said.
During his one-hour meeting with Megawati on Wednesday, Howard made clear that Australia recognized “the integrity of the Indonesian territories”.
On Thursday, the Australian prime minister said there was no analogy between East Timor and West Papua.
Papua became a province of Indonesia in 1968 after the results of a dubious public referendum, whereas East Timor was invaded and occupied by I 1975.
Papua, which like East Timor is predominantly Christian, has long been seeking independence from the Jakarta-based government.—dpa