E&OE...............................................
Ladies and gentlemen, the announcement that President Soeharto is
to resign is, of course, a very historic moment for Indonesia and
is a very momentous event in the life of that country. All along,
Australia has wanted an orderly and peaceful transition and that the
matter be resolved in accordance with the constitutional processes
of the Indonesian State. I welcome the fact that the changes that
are occurring are within the framework of the Indonesian Constitution
because it's our desire that change and transition to a more
open society, both politically and economically, should be orderly.
It should be without bloodshed and it should be in a way that respects
the current constitutional forms of the Indonesian State.
I want to acknowledge the contribution that President Soeharto has
made to the stability and the development of his country over the
last 32 years. Whatever may be the debate about aspects of his Government
and whatever may be the circumstances immediately leading to his resignation,
nothing can alter the fact that he has, over 32 years, brought enormous
stability to that country. He has presided over a significant increase
in the living standards of many people, many millions of people in
Indonesia. He has been responsible for implementing policies which
have brought about a reduction in absolute levels of poverty within
Indonesia. And nothing that has occurred in recent times can alter
that fact, although as with any person, the judgement of history about
him will be involved and tied up with debate about the methods of
his Government and debate about the wisdom of his policies.
But it is important at the end of this era for Indonesia, and today
does in a very real sense mark the end of an era for Indonesia, it
is very important that his contribution to his own country and to
the region be acknowledged, and acknowledged very fully. I congratulate
Dr Habibie on his appointment as President. My Government will cooperate
fully with Dr Habibie's administration as we have in the past
cooperated with President Soeharto, or the former President Soeharto's
administration. As indeed we will cooperate fully with any future
Indonesian administration, particularly one appointed in accordance
with the constitutional processes of that country.
There is a very big challenge ahead of the new administration in Indonesia.
It is important that international economic confidence be built. It's
important that the process of transition to a more open, political
form, which is so obviously the desire of many millions of people
in Indonesia, that that process be continued, that process be maintained
to the full because it's always been our wish that that should
occur.
Australia has taken the view all along that it is not our role to
give advice as to who should be the President or who should be in
positions of authority in Indonesia. That is a matter for the Indonesian
people and for the processes of the Indonesian State. We have been
a friend. We have been a close friend, a helpful friend, an understanding
friend, not always an uncritical friend but a friend for the long
haul and that would be our policy into the future as it has been our
policy up to the present time. I just have a moment for one or two
questions.
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, how will the fact that Dr Habibie, a close associate
of Mr Soeharto, the fact that he will have a fixed five years term,
how will that affect international confidence in Indonesia?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well my understanding is that he is to fill out the unexpired residue
of President Soeharto, the former President Soeharto's term.
I don't want to comment on the decision that has been made in
accordance with the processes of the Indonesian State. A process of
transition to a different kind of society, both politically and economically
is obviously to some degree under way.
JOURNALIST:
Mr Howard, do you think that the now Habibie administration should
go ahead with the vow which former President Soeharto made, and hold
elections as soon as possible?
PRIME MINISTER:
I believe that the commitment for a reform process, and I understand
some Ministers have indicated already in Indonesia that that will
be adhered to, that the reform process should, outlined by Mr Soeharto,
should be adhered to and I also would imagine that it would be certainly
the right thing to hold the elections as well. I mean, we are for
transition and change and reform but we respect the constitutional
processes of Indonesia. And we, of course, accept the fact that it's
a matter for the Indonesian people to determine the pace at which
that should occur, recognising at all times that we want to avoid
bloodshed and violence and civil unrest.
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, do you think that Mr Habibie should do what President
Soeharto said he would do the other day and not be a candidate for
the Presidency next time around?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well that is a matter for him. I can't and won't give any
public advice on that. That is entirely a matter for him.
JOURNALIST:
Do you see any implications for the bilateral relationship now that...
PRIME MINISTER:
I would have thought that the bilateral relationship has come through
an extraordinarily difficult time, certainly on the Indonesian part
in very good shape because we have been a real friend. We have been
there to help where we could and where it was appropriate. We have
not been a disinterested observer but we have respected Indonesian
sovereignty and we have accepted the right of the Indonesian people
to determine their own future. Friends like that are rare in these
circumstances and I would believe that so far from the events of the
past few months, having weakened the bilateral relationship they have
probably strengthened it and it gives to the Australian Government
a capacity to work closely with the new administration and, indeed,
with any future administration in Indonesia.
JOURNALIST::
Prime Minister, the economic situation there is getting worse by the
day, presumably even the army is having difficulty paying its troops.
Do you have any particular initiatives that you think should be put
in place?
PRIME MINISTER::
Well we've already put in place a number of initiatives and we've
been very generous. And I don't think it's appropriate at
this stage for me to be speculating about further initiatives. It's
only a couple of weeks since we announced a $30 million aid package.
You are aware of the IMF bail out and you are also aware of the trade
credit arrangements that we have made in relation to some of our exporters
which are of help to Indonesia. We've been a very generous donor
friend and helper already and at this stage I am not speculating about
further assistance. I'll have one more question and then I must
go to a meeting. Yes?
JOURNALIST::
(inaudible) since Mr Soeharto said he was going to stand down and
(inaudible). Now all that has happened is he has stood down, his man,
Habibie, is in place and the reform council has been scrapped.
PRIME MINISTER::
Well let's just wait and see how things evolve. I think it's
important that the guiding principle in all of these things be respect
for the constitutional processes and the avoidance of friends and
spokesmen within countries who are friends giving kerbside, preemptory
opinions as to what might happen in the future.
Thank you.
ENDS