Day 79: Indonesia

[Platypus]

A country of significant importance to Australia that is also the source of significant frustration.

We are often able to work well together, but at least every 6 months the relationship looks like it's at it's worst ever point and then all of a sudden everything's great.

SBY is their best ever President, of course, but he still sin'tr perfect. I know that it shouldn't be held as leverage but the fact that we gave them over $1billion should at least make them hate us less, but they still recalled their ambassador to Australia a week or so ago because Australia gave temporary visas to refugees from Irian Jaya.

It's a touchy relationship.

BVonds do seem to be strengthening, though; many of Indoenia's elite have sent their children to schools and universities in Australia and when those kids become the new elite things will improve. The whole Schapelle Corby/Michelle Leslie/Bali 9 thing hasn't actually been all that badly received over there-they aren't pleased at the Aussie media constantly bagging the Indonesian justice system  but considering how they could have taken the situation they've done quite well-certainly better then the Australians who really made far too much of a fuss about it all, although it is justified wrt the Bali 9 (because of the death sentences).

The Bali bombings forced Australia and Indonesia to become tighter then ever before, and this was only strengthened by the Australian Embassy bombing, the Second Bali Bombing and of course the Tsunami (and Nias). Whilst obviously the relationship isn't mature yet and has a long way to go, and whilst both Australia and Indonesia have a tendency to blow up over things that really don't deserve it but provide an outlet for what are obviously other significant issues, the relationship is good; and whilst Keating and Suharto might've got on quite well, i'd prefer a strained relationship with a democracy then a friendly relationship with a dictatorship on our doorstep.

Indonesia is far from perfect, but I generally believe Australia, and the west in general, can have sucessful and worthwhile relationships with them. It's role in the war on terror is important, and from an Australian perspective critical; it's economy is growing and using Australian resources and expertise, and it's people are gaining true democratic rule and some measure of social liberalism.

Indonesia has a long way to go and I'm glad the process has started, and even more glad that Ausralia is alongside it helping it along, even if sometimes they want us to just butt out. Indoesia has the will but not the skills to be a better nation, and it is the west's role, especially Australia's, to provide the skills. We've done that so far and we shouldkeep doing it, even if it does smell a bit like neocolonialism.