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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, November 15, 2001

Australian PM to Visit Indonesia

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Thursday Prime Minister John Howard will visit Indonesia at some time.


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Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Thursday Prime Minister John Howard will visit Indonesia at some time.

The Australian Associated Press reported that Downer will visit Indonesia in the next two or three weeks to pave the way for the visit of Howard.

"I'm planning a visit to Indonesia in the next two or three weeks," Downer said, adding that "We haven't finalized the details, although we're coming close to doing that now."

"no doubt Mr. Howard will follow up at some time in the future, but the timing of that is entirely uncertain," the foreign minister said.

The relations between Australia and Indonesia soured since East Timor split from Indonesia in 1999. Canberra proposed to then Indonesian leaders to hold a referendum in East Timor which led to its independence later, and when violent clashes occurred, Australia initiated, organized and led a multinational forces to control the former Indonesian province.

Earlier this year, former Indonesian president Wahid visited Australia and the ties started to ease up. However, the recent boat people crisis hit it again. Jakarta complained Canberra announced its decision in late August to turn back 433 boatpeople to Indonesia before consultation with Jakarta.

Australia is eager now for Indonesia's cooperation to stop the boat people waves given it's "Pacific solution" to the crisis faces troubles.

But Downer stressed that "I think the Indonesians feel now the election is out of the way, the nature of the Australian government is clearly settled," "they'll look to take the relationship forward with us."

"we'll obviously much appreciate that," he said.






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