Australia backs W. Pacific forum

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, DEC. 8. Australia today endorsed the proposal made by the Indonesian President, Mr. Abdurrahman Wahid, for a West Pacific Forum comprising the two countries as well as East Timor, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and the Philippines.

Mr. Wahid's idea, floated in a controversial attack on Singapore at the end of the Fourth ASEAN Informal Summit, appeared to arise out of his apparent dissatisfaction at ASEAN's functioning. A Joint Ministerial Statement issued in Canberra after meetings between Australian and Indonesian Ministers said today: ``Ministers (of the two countries) agreed that President Wahid's proposal on the West Pacific Forum was a constructive idea which would be taken forward early next year.''

The Indonesian Foreign Minister, Mr. Alwi Shihab, was quoted as saying in Canberra today that a meeting of Foreign Ministers from the proposed Forum members would take place in Indonesia early next year. ``This is not solely economic and political, but also cultural and social cooperation which would enhance the existing good relations between participating countries,'' Mr. Shihab added.

In turn, the Australian Foreign Minister, Mr. Alexander Downer, was quoted as stressing the common interests between the neighbouring countries, adding that differences over East Timor had to be dealt with in a mature fashion. ``We do share a fundamental congruence of interests in the security and prosperity of our region....Indonesia's territorial integrity, which we fully support, and prosperity and respect for the rights for all its people is central to the achievement of its objective,'' Mr. Downer was quoted as saying.

The Australian endorsement of the West Pacific Forum is interesting given the tensions that have existed with Indonesia in recent months, especially over the East Timor question. The support from Australia for the idea comes at a time when Canberra, too, is believed to be interested in participating in the ASEAN plus-3 process at the summit level. Also, while Australia is a participant in ASEAN as a dialogue partner, Canberra, clearly, wants to play a more pro-active role in the Asia-Pacific region.

If a West Pacific Forum does come into existence, it will have implications for ASEAN. Given the centrality of Indonesia in ASEAN (despite its economic and political troubles), the creation of the new Forum is bound to impact on the regional grouping. Mr. Wahid said after a meeting with Singapore's Senior Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, that he proposed the entry of East Timor and Papua New Guinea into ASEAN.

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Section  : International
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