Australia says Papua row won't break Indonesia ties

JAKARTA, Mar 27: Australian and Indonesian officials tried to play down differences today after Canberra's granting of asylum to 42 boat people from Indonesia's troubled Papua province provoked protests.

Several different groups of demonstrators gathered outside Australia's embassy in Jakarta to decry Canberra's decision last week to recognise the Papuans as refugees despite Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono asking that they be returned.

One group of demonstrators, numbering about 100, was from Yudhoyono's Democrat Party. Others represented the opposition Indonesia Democratic Party-Struggle.

''Australia Go to Hell'', ''Bill Go Home'' and ''Howard and Downer Go to Hell'' were among the slogans, referring to Australian Ambassador Bill Farmer, Prime Minister John Howard, and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.

Late in the day a small number of protesters splashed red paint on the embassy walls and wrote similar sentiments there.

Indonesia recalled its ambassador in Australia last week and described the visa decision as disappointing and deplorable.

Australia's Downer was at pains today to say the decision was in accordance with international and Australian law and that Canberra still recognised Indonesia's sovereignty over Papua.

''We will do what we can to ensure (our) close friendship continues,'' he told parliament.

In separate remarks on television, Downer said some Indonesians urging a stronger response should reflect on Australia's help in the war on terror and other areas.

''Australia is a great asset for Indonesia, is a great friend ... there is great benefit for Indonesia in a good relationship with Australia -- it's not just a one-way street.''

''STRONG RELATIONSHIP''

In Jakarta, Yudhoyono's spokesman, Dino Patti Djalal, said the government recognised Australia ''has firmly stated that they support the unity of Indonesia and never at all support any separatist movement in Indonesia, including the one in Papua''.

''Don't forget that we have a long and strong relationship,'' he told reporters, adding that the president was still reviewing the situation.

The problem would not lead to a break in ties ''because if that happened the one that will be happy is the separatist groups'', Djalal said.

Despite those seemingly conciliatory words, Lalu Mara Satria of the Indonesia welfare minister's staff told Elshinta radio that because of the diplomatic flap the minister put off signing an agreement for A10 million dollars in aid to fight bird flu, endemic in Indonesia.

''The Indonesian government has made an official protest...

so last night the welfare minister decided to postpone the signing,'' he said.

Papuan independence activists have campaigned for more than 30 years to break away from Indonesia while a low-level armed rebellion has also simmered. Human rights groups accuse the Indonesian military of widespread abuses there.

The Papuan refugees at the heart of the controversy sailed for five days to reach Australia in a traditional outrigger with a banner accusing the Indonesian military of conducting genocide in their homeland, a charge Jakarta denies along with the claims of widespread human rights violations.

The Australian newspaper said today that a steady stream of students from Papua were already making their way to Australia to seek asylum.

Papua police spokesman Kartono Wangsadisastra dismissed reports more Papuans were fleeing as ''all lies''.

REUTERS