East Timor: Radio Australia
best form of Defence
21.9.99
Good relations with our neighbours
in Indonesia and other parts of the Asia-Pacific region is an important
component of defence. If enabled by the Federal Government, Radio Australia's
credibility with the public of our region, will continue to be Australia's
most cost-effective diplomatic initiative.
RA's presence in East Timor
and Indonesia - or lack of it - will be crucial in the time ahead. Recent
ABC action to lease offshore transmission, to enable RA to boost its
service to Indonesia, will contribute to Indonesians being better informed
about East Timor, and provide some counter to anti-Australian sentiment.
But this partial resumption
of RA service delivered prior to major cuts and closure of the Cox Peninsula
transmitters, is seriously restricted. RA can afford to transmit only
for a small number of hours in the main Indonesian language, and to
provide this service for a limited period of time.
The closure of Cox Peninsula
transmitters, to appease the Chinese and Indonesian governments, was
contrary to common wisdom on Australia's long-term interests. Circumstances
change, and so do governments. The Indonesian government has changed,
and may again. Australia is now sending troops to East Timor.
RA gained respect in our
region through balanced and independent reporting over many years. If
we allow RA contact to be lost, trust in its integrity cannot be suddenly
called back into play in times of need. RA must be funded to broadcast
directly to Australia's Pacific and Asian neighbours in appropriate
languages. The Australian Government must halt plans to lease Australia's
Cox Peninsula transmitters to foreign broadcasters, and immediately
restore RA access.
Alison Clifford
National Spokesperson