I don’t doubt for a moment that the main topic of discussion at the bilateral talks in Darwin will be economic. However, I noted that in the official communiqué from the inaugural Indonesia-Australia Annual Leaders’ Meeting in Bali in November last year, the statement that the two countries would work together on “the promotion of democracy, good governance, human rights, the rule of law and capacity building” and on defense.
“Reinforcing our comprehensive security cooperation, both leaders
directed senior officials of both countries under the Security
Cooperation Consultation Group to review existing cooperation, and to
coordinate and set priorities under the Plan of Action of the Lombok
Treaty. Both leaders also further encouraged the finalization of the
defense arrangement as a basis for enhanced defense cooperation between
the two countries”.
In the wake of increased violence in Papua,
it would appear that the Indonesian government is failing in its
attempts to bring democracy, good governance, human rights and the rule
of law to the territory. As Australia helps train the Indonesian
Military (TNI) and in particular the counterterrorism unit, Detachment
88, we have to accept some responsibility for the Indonesian security
forces’ behavior in Papua.
I believe the relationship between
Indonesia and Australia is strong enough that Julia Gillard can and
should raise concerns about the human rights situation in Papua and
President Yudhoyono should raise any concerns he might have with Julia
Gillard about the US military being hosted in Darwin.
If the
Indonesian President is serious about improving the well-being of the
Papuan people, he should control the security forces in the territory
and order them to return to barracks as a way of avoiding any further
escalation of an already tense situation.
Joe Collins
Australia