FOR PRESS FRI 8 OCTOBER 1976
ADDRESS AT THE STATE BANQUET GIVEN BY THE PRESIDENT OF
THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA
It is an honour for me to visit Indonesia as a guest of
the Indonesian Government and people, at your personal
invitation. In your recent speech to the House of People's Representatives,
on Independence Day this year, you spoke of your deep concern
that Indonesia build up the production of its farms and
factories, you spoke also of the visible signs of achievement.
The new Palapa satellite system for domestic communication
symbolises the progress Indonesia has made under your leadership.
The importance of communications is just as great in relations
between countries. We need to continue the habit of close
and frank communication, and by doing so, create an atmosphere
which makes difficult the development of dicisive issues.
When there is a firm basis for mutual understanding, these
issues can be handled in the calm atmosphere of discussion
as between friends. This is why it is important that contacts
at all levels between Australia and Indonesia should be encouraged.
There exists already a broad range of contact and cooperation.
This is reflected not only by growing economic investment in
Indonesia by Australian firms, but also by extensive
Government to Government cooperation that covers a broad
range of matters.
I hope and confidently believe that this relationship will
consolidate with time and that it will always be beneficial
to both nations.
There is a growing cultural awareness in Australia of
Indonesia which has been promoted in large measure by the depth,
richness and diversity of Indonesia's culture.
At the same time, Australian culture has also become more
accessible to other countries.
Indonesia and other countries of the region have seen exhibitions
of Australian art, photography, graphi cs and Aboriginal art
and crafts.
Performing groups have visited Indonesia, including the
Australian Marionette Theatre, an orchestra of young players
from the Sydney Coiiservatorium of Mvusi~ c and smaller musical
groups. Libraries of[ Australiani books have been given to
universities and other learned institutions. The small
Australian cultural centre in Jakarta also makes its
contribution. We are planning to increase its activities.
Australians have increasingly had the opportunity to appreciate
examples of Indonesian culture, in particular we remember a visit
paid to several Australian states by Misi Kesenian, a
talented company of Indonesian dancers and musicians last
year. The Australian Government was happy to assist with
their tour.
Perhaps even more important in the longer term, some twelve
thousand Australian school children now learn Bahasa Indonesian
a three fold increase in the last decade.
This means that at some time in the near future, if not already,
Australia will be the largest Indonesian speaking nation
in the world outside Indonesia itself.
The next generation in Australia will be able to talk to the
youth of Indoiesia in Indonesian. Surely this augurs well for the
future of our relationship.
Mr President, you have steered your nation through a most
difficult period, with great skill. It is today, a more
prosperous and respected nation because of your leadership.
The hospitality you have extended to us has been greatly
appreciated. Our discussions have already been very valuable
in extending our understanding of each other' s views.
I l. ook forward to continuing our talks tomorrow.
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