Kiss and Make Up: Batam, Indonesia

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Australian Prime Minister John Howard held a meeting on Batam Island yesterday. In the evening Yudhoyono held a state banquet in honour of John and Janet Howard. Whack another steak on the Barbie, John!.

Yudhoyono and Howard discussed the directions of the two countries ties after the relations have been strained following the granting of temporary visas by Canberra to 42 Papuans seeking asylum in Australia recently.

That's what I like, another triumph of diplomacy. But this event was in fact a media kiss and make up event to ensure the mutual needs of both countries are no longer diverted by issues which have little geopolitical significance to either.

There is diplomatic rhetoric of how strong the network of relationships are between both countries. However the latest outburst on the visa issue painfully revealed the reality that bilateral ties are dependent on personal moods and emotions at the highest decision making levels.

How long can a relationship last if it defines itself by impulse and sentiment?

While summits and joint cooperation meetings between ministers of the two countries are useful we should also ensure that they do not descend into periodic ceremonial affairs. There must be a sense of urgency and political will on both sides to ensure agreed upon programs are truly realized.

Another Bali meeting between a platoon of Indonesian and Australian ministers will do little if it simply leads to newspaper headlines and hot line calls between heads of state.