The Problem with Howard's Way

The DPR/MPR were wrong to reject Prime Minister Howard's visit. Political parties should have been in line with the government on this. This is not to say relations between the two nations are problem-free. Jakarta just needs to be firm about it.

February 12, 2002

INDONESIA'S problem with Australia is not about "intervention". The demonstrators protesting Prime Minister John Howard's visit here should have expended their energy on denouncing Australia over other matters.

The House of Representatives (DPR) and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) were wrong to reject Howard's visit. They feel that Australia interferes too often in Indonesia's internal affairs, like matters on East Timor (which

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