JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political and Security
Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Friday that
"building trust and confidence" were the keys to
restoring Indonesian-Australia military ties, according to a
report.
Susilo met with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on
Friday to discuss the restoration of military and defense ties
between the two countries. These ties were severed because of
anumber of contentious issues, most notably East Timor.
"I told (Downer) that if we are talking about defense
cooperation, which was cut off due to the East Timor matter --
which is even now still an unresolved problem for both Indonesia
and Australia -- that (ties) can be mended, starting with the
building of mutual confidence and trust between the twocountries,"
Susilo said as quoted by Antara.
Susilo and Downer also discussed Indonesia's domestic problems
on Friday and how to resolve conflicts in Maluku, Aceh and Papua,
as well as the steps Indonesia was taking to combat terrorism.
Regarding Maluku, Susilo said the Indonesian government was
working on a fair and just resolution to end the conflict, as well
as formulating stern policies to crack down on those instigating
violence in the province.
In dealing with separatism in Papua and Aceh, the Indonesian
government has already given both provinces special autonomy
status, he added.
"Australia as well as the rest of the international world
supports our country in handling these domestic problems,"
Susilosaid.
Another point discussed at the meeting was a possible Pacific
Island Forum, which would involve Indonesia, New Zealand,
Australia and East Timor.
On terrorism, Susilo said he explained to Downer Indonesia's
policies and the ongoing deliberation of an anti-terrorism bill.
"Indonesia's way of coping terrorism is different from
that of Singapore or Malaysia's Internal Security Act. One thing
is sure, we will not ignore the international call to combat
terrorist threats," Susilo said. (edt)
