FED: Stable Indonesia good for Austrralia: Downer

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2006
FED: Stable Indonesia good for Austrralia: Downer

The foreign affairs minister says it's in Australia's best interests to have a stable
Indonesia .. and providing support for democracy there is essential.

ALEXANDER DOWNER admits Australia's exchanges with Indonesia have been robust in recent times.

But he's told Macquarie Radio .. the expansion of a four billion dollar Asia-Pacific-centred
foreign aid program is important for regional stability.

And Mr DOWNER's defended the controversial granting of temporary protection visas to
a group of Papuans who fled Indonesia early this year .. which offended the Indonesian
government.

AAP RTV ajc/jv/rt

KEYWORD: AID DOWNER (SYDNEY)

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