Australian Indonesian Relations Since 1945

An account of relations between Australia and Indonesia during the period between 1945 and 1997. Indonesia and Australia, while not each other's closest neighbours, are geographically close to one another. This geographic proximity, however, has not resulted in their sharing of many characteristics. It has often been argued that the enormous differences between the two countries has been a major factor behind the uneven and erratic history of their relationship. This study explores the extent to which this has remained the case in the 1990s. In approaching the theme, it adopts historical and systematic approaches and argues that interactions between two such middle powers cannot be understood separately from the overall trends of global politics. It also adopts the view that despite the large differences in size, culture, wealth and political systems - geography has dictated that the two countries share similar geo-political interest and on that basis, a decent working relationship has been painstakingly built against a difficult background.

The story of Indonesia, from its wartime creation under the Japanese to the rise of Sukarno, the Konfrontasi with Malaysia, the Gestapu rebellion and the invasion of East Timor in 1975. This guide is essential to anyone interested in exploring the history and complexities of Australian-Indonesian relations.

Recent years have seen dramatic shifts in the nature of Australian-Indonesian relations, and this in turn has had a great impact on the strategic partnership that had gradually come into existence between the two regional powers. Against the backdrop of rapid strategic, political, economic, social, and technological changes occurring on a global scale, Australian foreign policy efforts at cooperation with its largest and nearest Asian neighbor have changed as well—largely as a result of domestic political considerations. Reaching a high point under Prime Minister Keating, defense relations soured considerably and suddenly after 1999. Singh provides a non-partisan account of the shift from partnership to cold peace and an examination of how it has affected the bilateral, regional, and global security environment. The Indonesian public and political elite have become hostile toward Australia as a result of her perceived role in the birth of an independent East Timor. Indonesians are also increasingly suspicious of Australian intensions toward their own country, with many believing that Canberra would like to repeat its East Timor success in Papua, thereby leading to the disintegration of Indonesia itself. John Howard's pro-Western policies are also viewed as a return to Australian projection of itself as a Western outpost on the fringes of Asia. As the strategic cooperation between the two nations has faltered, it has had tremendous implications for the defense and security outlook of both powers. The world cannot afford to ignore this possible threat to regional stability.

This book traces the evolution of a new independence of thought displayed by the Australian government towards foreign policy, and in particular towards its relations with Indonesia, after the Second World War. During the period 1901-1941 two distinct ideologies had formed over Australian strategic policies: pro-Imperial and self reliance. The Second World War challenged previously sacrosanct expectations regarding Australia's military relationship with the United Kingdom. With the Fall of Singapore in 1942 Australia was forced to contemplate the implications of national selfdefence and its own regional interests. Shaped by the experiences of war, alternative foreign and strategic policies were explored that challenged previous assumptions. The emergence of widespread Indonesian nationalism after the Second World War meant that the possible regional security benefits of Dutch rule in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) diminished. Yet Dutch failure to provide security against Japanese aggression during the Second World War was exacerbated by their post-war misjudgements and inflexibility toward the Indonesian Republicans. These two factors greatly influenced Australian post-war policies toward the NEI. From an initial position of concerned neutrality, the Chifley government shifted to supporting the Indonesian nationalists. This new independence of thought was shaped by the failure of the pro-Imperial ideal in 1942, diplomatic reconstruction (1942-1945) and a post-war ambition of middle power diplomacy through the United Nations. This book is based on Adam's MA Hons thesis at Macquarie University, Sydney. Based at the Research School of Social Sciences (Department of History) at the Australian National University, Canberra, he is currently researching Australian foreign debates and attitudes in the 1950s and 1960s.

Recent years have seen dramatic shifts in the nature of Australian-Indonesian relations, and this in turn has had a great impact on the strategic partnership that had gradually come into existence between the two regional powers. Against the backdrop of rapid strategic, political, economic, social, and technological changes occurring on a global scale, Australian foreign policy efforts at cooperation with its largest and nearest Asian neighbor have changed as well—largely as a result of domestic political considerations. Reaching a high point under Prime Minister Keating, defense relations soured considerably and suddenly after 1999. Singh provides a non-partisan account of the shift from partnership to cold peace and an examination of how it has affected the bilateral, regional, and global security environment. The Indonesian public and political elite have become hostile toward Australia as a result of her perceived role in the birth of an independent East Timor. Indonesians are also increasingly suspicious of Australian intensions toward their own country, with many believing that Canberra would like to repeat its East Timor success in Papua, thereby leading to the disintegration of Indonesia itself. John Howard's pro-Western policies are also viewed as a return to Australian projection of itself as a Western outpost on the fringes of Asia. As the strategic cooperation between the two nations has faltered, it has had tremendous implications for the defense and security outlook of both powers. The world cannot afford to ignore this possible threat to regional stability.

The nations of the Pacific Basin - in East and Southeast Asia, Australasia, the Pacific islands and the Americas - make up the world's largest economic zone, and its most culturally diverse region. In recent years its Asian 'Tiger Economies' have suffered economic collapse and unfinished business from the Cold War has produced continuing conflict and instability. The new edition of this pioneering book traces the postwar inter-relationships of all the rim and island nations. It gives a unique impression of the make-up of the region, and the tensions within it. The book integrates a wide range of information from books and articles; from published and unpublished sources, including recently opened Russian and American archives; and from the first-hand experiences of participants, including those of the author, in Pacific Basin affairs. Vigorously written and strongly argued, no other account brings together all the threads of the development of international relations in this complex and fascinating region.