ABC AUSTRALIA, 20/05/2004 23:00:54
Australian think-tank raises concerns about Indonesia's
Megawati
An Australian Government think tank says Indonesia's Megawati administration is
returning to some of the less attractive features of the Suharto era.
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute says political and bureaucratic corruption is
still evident and Indonesia's military is dominating policy on Papua and Aceh.
The annual strategic assessment, released in the capital, Canberra, says Mrs
Megawati's approach to the terror threat has been partial and inconsistent.
The Institute's head, Hugh White, says the emergence of real political choice in
Indonesia shows the chance for reforms.
Mr White says the hope is for a government that tackles corruption and opens the
way for strong economic growth.
"It can also handle the very vexed problems of Aceh and Papua effectively, which
means decent respect for human rights and so on," he said.
"And which can start to rebuild Indonesia into the regional leader that, in a sense, all
of us in this region need it to be."
20/05/2004 23:00:54 | ABC Radio Australia News
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