http://www.news.com.au/national/ind...s/news-story/caa74878c66b6e553cfb6764e6f6a244 Could this be the turnaround in Australia Indonesia co-operation??? For those who were unaware, Indonesia protesting issues with Australia was rather convenient. During the period of public withdrawal from diplomacy with Australia scheduled meetings with Russia and Chinese government representatives occurred discussing many issues. One can only assume with the speed of return and settlement of talks about military and trade deals, Indonesia was very unhappy with discussions from others. Since it is obvious Indonesia found no solace and returned to the table, we could consider Australia has a better chance to build better relationship with Indonesia. Will the trust grow in the relationship of the two nations??? Will trade improve??? With better and more accepting attitudes between the two nations will respect be restored??? I certainly wonder, considering the way the two nations interacted in the past.
Domestic issues often play a significant part in the Indonesian reactions to Australia, often their actions and pronouncements are aimed at an internal audiences and issues that Australians are unaware of. Widido is generally on the pro Australian side, as are their militray. We keep donating surplus military gear to keep them with toys to play with. The FPDAs (plural intended) effectively rings Indonesia and includes the largest and second largest airforce and navies in the region, where as they have effectively a huge gendarmie and very little outward projection power. We have more Singaorean troops train here and with us then we have US troops http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-06/singapore-to-expand-queensland-defence-bases/7389168) Playing up issues with Australia is a not uncommon thing in the region, as one they can play us as outsiders and two we generally don't hold a grudge. (eg Lee Kwan Yu can calls us the white trash of asia and it had almost no impact on our relationship at all or Mahatir's often sharp words, but the FPDAs remains in place with for example an Australian still in charge of coordinating the joint defence of the Malay penisula (both Malaysia and Singapore) if they were attacked by an outsde force.)
