I agree with Mr Devir that some of you have missed the point of his article. However I still feel that his argument is flawed in a number of respects.

Up until Australia's involvement in East Timor the Jakarta Elite considered Australia as a laughing stock. Fuelled by Keating's policy of appeasement the Suharto regime perceived Canberra as 'wishy washy'. In other words the ALP sacrificed principles and didn't mind what Jakarta did with human rights, military attrocities, and systemic corruption at all levels of trade. Canberra under the ALP desperately wanted to be Asian.

Of course many would argue that Howard involved us in Timor because of oil, and that the Libs are pursuing trade with China whilst sacrificing principles (especially in relation to Taiwan). However what Howard has done is engaged Asia in trade relationships of mutual benefit that only were possible after we gained respect through military engagement in Timor (as well as the Pacific). Boundaries have been set this time around. Afterall appeasement only works if respect is there to begin with!

Finally any ideas that Indonesia has nothing to thank Australia for (and vice versa) are nonsense. Australian unions actively campaigned against Dutch colonialism prior to Indonesian independence. Additionally Australia's involvement in Borneo in effect thwarted communism under Sukarno.

Chris Devir..my ami.

History,should be the criteria you uphold.Most of the juicy bits regarding Australia have been flagrantly omitted. My trips to Bali have been marred by our Ockerism, profanity, nudity, and booze-junkets ..and lately drug offences.

Some of the 88 revellers who unfortunately perished in the Nighclub scene were there as part of an end of season Footy year. The red light district of Bali were bursting at the seams, and in between the Sari and that other dens of inequity, the 'flesh' trade really took some beating. The drunken hedonism that particular night, like every other night was enjoyed by all, mostly Ozzie . Of course, we vehemently deny it.
Our denial begins with Gough Whitlam, who cosily instructed Indonesia's PM, we would take no exception to their invasion of East Timor, as part of the US's Arms trade deal which was going on at the time. The US were equipping the Indo's with all their obsolete software which after the chastening over the Iran-Contra affair, had to be diverted else where for mere profit. After a change of Government, JH decided the Timor Sea was a hot bed of Oil Exploration, and that vast amounts was there for the taking, soo we conviently step ped in, and under the guise of a UN Sanction, we usurped East Timor's soverignty, plundered their Oil and left them one of the poorest Nations on the Planet. So much for the Good Guys.

The dreadful saga regarding relationship between our two Nations is so deplorable, not even the eloquence of silver tounged JH will heal the rift. Of course, we then trumpeted $ 1B to the Tsumnami appeal to bribe them.We then wanted some back after Shapelle Corby took the 20 strikes for the fall. Now, we have a full house in Kerobokan Jail,with Miss Beautiful overtaken SC as the queen of the catwalk, the 9 mules,one SA kindy teacher, and other lesser known druggies. Bali as our favourite playground, we have colonised their goal.
C'est la Guerre !