Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono arrived yesterday for his first official visit to Australia, where he will attempt to ease tensions between the two countries over a surge in asylum seekers using Indonesia as a launch point for Australian shores.
Yudhoyono grinned as he stepped off the plane and spotted a cluster of well-wishers waving Indonesian flags, stopping to shake hands with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Governor-General Quentin Bryce.
Bryce later bestowed upon the president Australia’s highest civilian honor for his commitment to improving bilateral ties.
Talks between Yudhoyono and Australian officials are expected to turn more serious during his three-day visit, however, with the issue of asylum seekers high on the agenda. Yudhoyono is also expected to highlight the issue during his address to parliament today.
The Australian government has come under increasing pressure domestically to find a solution to the surge in asylum seekers finding their way by boat into Australian waters over the past year.
The countries have also been at odds over the 1975 killing of five Australian-based journalists during a covert attack by Indonesian forces on East Timor. Yudhoyono has warned an Australian investigation launched last September could severely strain relations.
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