[Kabar-indonesia] Glimmer of Indonesian Hope [a Daily Telegraph Opinion]

[Joyo at aol.com]

The Sunday Telegraph (Sydney)
October 8, 2006

Opinion

Glimmer of Indonesian Hope

By Matt Price

CAST your eyes across international affairs and it's enough to make you curl 
up under the doona and never leave the bedroom.

The Iraq war is an unmitigated mess. North Korea is experimenting with 
nuclear weapons. Iran wants to go nuclear as well. The Middle East is in chaos. 
Australia is rowing with the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. 

Throw in the pervading terrorism threat, add the prospect of global warming 
and there's not a lot of room for optimism. 

But if you look very closely, a few positive chinks appear in the Lowy 
Institute's survey of public opinion and foreign policy. Most of the headlines from 
the comprehensive and well regarded Lowy poll were dedicated to Iraq. 

Given the debacle unfolding, it's hardly surprising an overwhelming majority 
of Australians believe the war has made the world less safe. 

Which helps explain why almost 70 per cent of respondents believe the US 
exerts too much influence on Australian foreign policy. But the Lowy survey also 
quizzed Australians about their attitude to Indonesia, and vice versa. 

Almost half of the Australians surveyed thought relations between the two 
countries were worsening. More worrying news. 

But consider a few more figures from the Lowy survey. It's almost four years 
since the first Bali bombing killed 88 Australians, and just 12 months since 
the reprise claimed four more tourists. Scores of Indonesians were also killed 
and maimed in these attacks. 

Most Australians have been understandably outraged at the release from jail 
of radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, founder of the Jemaah Islamiah terror 
network thought to be up to his armpits in the first bombing. Bashir has never 
shown any contrition, choosing instead to gloat and goad Australia. 

As well, Indonesia has been profoundly insulted by the granting of refuge in 
Australia to 43 West Papuan refugees. The government's response was to try to 
toughen the immigration laws but, facing a backbench revolt, John Howard 
backed down. 

It was the PM, of course, who failed to pay Jakarta the courtesy of a phone 
call when he demanded the Tampa turn back towards Indonesia in 2001. 

If this didn't foster neighbourly relations, nor has the intense focus - in 
Australia, at least - on Islamic extremism, drug trafficking and illegal 
fishing. 

Now the good news. While 18 per cent of Indonesians fear the relationship 
with Australia is worsening, double that number believe it's improving. 

And here's the REALLY good news - two-thirds of Indonesians and 77 per cent 
of Australians agree that it's "very important'' the two countries work 
together to develop closer relations. 

But through all the controversies and suspicions there emerges a fundamental 
understanding that cooperation between the odd couple is essential. Which, of 
course, it is; any serious split with our near neighbour and the world's 
largest Muslim nation would be disastrous. 

Admittedly this isn't exactly a blindingly positive light but consider this. 
According to the Lowy survey a full 86 per cent of Australians feel safe or 
very safe when they ponder the world around them. 

Which proves that for all the seemingly endless gloom and woe, we're a sunny 
lot. 

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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