Remarks by H.E. Mr S. Wiryono,
Indonesian Ambassador to Australia
At the City of Perth Civic Reception
Wednesday, 24 July 1996

The Right Hon. Lord Mayor of Perth, Dr Peter Nattrass.
Mr Garry Hunt, Chief Executive,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am indeed greatly honoured to be received here today at this Civic Reception and I must express my deepest appreciation to the Lord Mayor for so kindly hosting this event. It is encouraging to see so many prominent Perth personalities present and I would like to take this opportunity to express my happiness at being in Perth, a stunning Australian capital city which is one of the closest to Indonesia.

This is my first official visit to Perth and after having seen the city's beauty and attractions. I would very much like to come again and spend more time than my current trip allows. (Another Impressive drawcard. one I don't have to tell you all about, is the weather. I have to admit, any opportunity to escape a Canberra winter is welcomed-, I assure you.)

Indonesia is Australia's closest neighbour to the north and it is only natural that neighbours interact in a way that only next-door neighbours can - with a measure of familiarity and easy affection. In this era of globalisation and interdependence, and also in this tremendously dynamic region, such interaction is not only important but has to be broadened and deepened, and Western Australia's role in the interaction has become increasingly more and more significant.

Due to the geographical closeness I have already mentioned, more and more Indonesians are choosing to visit Perth over any other tourist destination in the world. In turn, Bali has been drawing in Australians in large numbers for many years, but what is new and encouraging, is that an ever increasing number of Australians are discovering the charms of the eastern and other remote parts of the Indonesian archipelago. Such exchange of visits at the grassroots level occasions goodwill, mutual understanding and opportunities for cooperation in other fields.

Cultural and educational relations between Australia and Indonesia are flourishing. Our cultural and historical backgrounds, even though vastly different, provide us with the impetus to further our knowledge of each other. We have to recognise that we are uniquely different but we must and can learn from each other and grow from this element of difference towards better mutual understanding and respect.

Neighbours as we are, we are still in the important stage of familiarising ourselves with each other. Indeed. the relationship has had to bear its share of irritants now and then but in the short time I have served in Australia, I have found a large reservoir of goodwill which has made possible not only a stronger bilateral relationship but also an effective partnership in the endeavour to achieve and maintain regional stability and peace.

Admittedly there may be some truth to the oft-repeated observation that Australia and Indonesia are as different from each other as any two nations can be. Whilst Australia is rooted in Anglo-Saxon culture it is however, becoming more and more a multicultural society and developing a more multicultural outlook. as well as becoming more and more a part of Asia. Indonesia on the other hand is a nation that is thoroughly Oriental, highly pluralistic and while it is a nation 5 it is also still growing and developing into a nation. Therefore, Indonesia has always placed a great premium on national unity. Its culture has, since ancient times, absorbed layer-upon-layer of the world's great civilising influences: Hinduism. Buddhism,, Islam. Christianity and, in recent times. it has taken whatever it can feasibly and salutarily imbibe from the West. While we were transformed by these influences, we did not cease to be Indonesians - we became even more Indonesian as we made these influences uniquely our own as we selected and absorbed them. This process continues today as we move along the path to become that nation that we aspire to be.

Indonesia. in the past three decades. has enjoyed stability and economic growth but essentially it is still a nation in transition. In transition towards becoming a newly industrialised country and also in the sense of undergoing a process of democratisation. In such a situation. inevitably Indonesia looks. to the outside. sometimes somewhat volatile but the general consensus in my country is now on how to ensure the maintenance of stability and to prevent another upheaval.

Within the framework of these facts, clearly the two countries can interact in a way that will be mutually beneficial based on common interests. mutual respect and benefit as well as shared responsibility. So, despite the differences, we must realise that geography has made our countries neighbours, and economic and trade interests have made us partners. Culturally we need to close the gap. The two countries also share responsibility in contributing to regional peace and security and therefore it is our duty to nurture our relationship carefully.

I thank you for your time today and would now like to ropose a toast to the Lord Mayor, city and people of Perth.