M92 17 August 1995

INDONESIAN 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE

I warmly congratulate Indonesia on its 50th anniversary of independence and have today sent a message to my counterpart, Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, conveying my personal pleasure at the occasion.

I deeply regret that a seriously discordant note has been introduced into the day's celebrations by a series of incidents at demonstrations in Australia yesterday and today in which Indonesian leaders have been insulted and the Indonesian national flag burned.

Australians do not always fully realise the seriousness with many countries view their national flag, and the way in which they take the burning of their flag as a direct insult and attack on their national pride and dignity.

Such actions are not illegal anywhere in Australia, and accordingly there is little that law enforcement authorities can do when protesters choose to express themselves in this way.

It is to be noted that in Indonesia, protests against Australia have often also taken robust forms - not least with the placards outside the Australian Embassy in the last few days - without interference by the Indonesian authorities, or complaints by us.

That said, the Australian Government does very sincerely regret that the protests in Australia have taken the seriously offensive form that they have.

Today is a very special day for Indonesia; we value very much our relationship with Indonesia, and look forward to it being long maintained into the future.

CANBERRA