Analysts and diplomats in Jakarta are worried that Indonesian authorities are unwilling or unable to dampen anti-Western feelings, particularly against the United States. The American ambassador, Mr Robert Gelbard, who has been locked in a war of words with Indonesia's Defence Minister, Mr Mohamad Mahfud, has complained he has received death threats. Australia is also being targetted. The governor of Bali, Dewa Made Berata, has made it clear he thinks Australian tourists are undisciplined cheap-skates, and says he is not bothered by plans to revoke free visas for Australians visiting his resort island. A hardline group, the Defenders of Islam, has stepped up attacks on nightclubs and bars frequented by foreigners.
Indonesian police stand by and watch the attackers smash up premises and assault customers.
Efforts by the Howard Government to improve relations with the Government of Abdurrahman Wahid continue to flounder. Visiting Australia, the Minister for Justice and Human Rights, Mr Yusril Ihza Mahendra, accused the Labor Party of interfering in Indonesia's sovereignty following a call by the party's president Greg Sword for a self-determination ballot in West Papua, the Indonesian province formerly called Irian Jaya. This material is subject to copyright and any unauthorised use, copying or mirroring is prohibited.