Poland-Indonesia relations: Not just about red and white

Dwi Atmanta, The Jakarta Post, Warsaw | Fri, 11/14/2008 11:10 AM  

Separated by geographical distance, Poland and Indonesia have much in common. The two nations use identical colors of red and white for their flags, and their respective histories are full of wars for independence and maintaining national unity. 

Without much fanfare, relations between the two countries have survived world and regime changes, since they were first established in the late 1950s. 

The fight against climate change has bound them even closer. Indonesia and Poland, as well as Denmark, are playing a pivotal role in creating a new international commitment to reducing global emissions. 

Poland will host the UN conference on climate change in December, which is expected to result in an action plan to implement the Bali road map agreed to in last year's conference in Indonesia. 

"We have enjoyed sound and vibrant relations so far," says Maciej Orzechowski of the Foreign Affairs Committee at the Polish Parliament (Sejm). 

However, nothing special has really happened with regard to bilateral ties, except for formalities, following the fall of Indonesia's founding president Sukarno in the mid-1960s until after Poland broke away from the communist bloc in 1990. 

That the European and Asian nations have kept their friendship, if not intimacy, intact until today is because of great contributions from the likes of former Polish ambassador to Indonesia Andrezeja Nusantara Wawrzyniaka. 

Since leaving his post in Jakarta in the early 1970s, he has maintained contact with numerous Indonesian figures, ranging from government officials to artists, and persistently promoted Indonesian and Asian cultures. The Indonesian government, through former president Soeharto, conferred upon him a medal in recognition of his efforts to help preserve bilateral relations. 

Indeed, an Indonesian atmosphere pervades his house-museum in Warsaw. Paintings by noted Indonesian artists the late Affandi, Srihadi, Popo Iskandar, Nyoman Gunarsa, and souvenirs adorn the building. 

"I don't know why I fell in love with Indonesia. It's not something I can explain," he says, recalling his close encounter with diverse Indonesian cultures during his posting to the country more than three decades ago. 

His middle name, given by president Sukarno, speaks volumes of his Indonesian connection. There is a kind of personal link between him and Indonesia, and the country remains one his regular destinations when going overseas. 

Warsaw also saw a three-month exhibition of the Papuan Asmat tribe's art, which closed late last month. The event, according to one of its guides Piotr Cichocki, drew a considerable number of people. particularly school children, almost every day. 

"It's a spectacular exhibition for the public and they want to know more about the exotic culture of the Asmat," Cichocki said recently. 

Indonesian Ambassador to Poland Hazairin Pohan says the fall of communism in Poland provided Indonesia with "fertile ground" for further cooperation. 

"Poland has changed and joined the democratic club along with Indonesia. Both countries have signed cooperation agreements, and it's the people and business sectors that should take advantage of the facilities," Hazairin said. 

Cultural exchange is a work in progress, as is trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. 

Bilateral trade in 2006 was valued at US$600 million, with Indonesia enjoying a $220 million surplus. Indonesia's imports from Poland are mostly military equipment, while exports include CPO, textiles, wood products and electronic goods. 

Hazairin said the trade volume was expected to increase by up to 40 percent next year. 

Signs of strengthening economic ties are visible with two Polish companies seeking $2 billion in investment in coal mining, not to mention rising interest in power-plant construction projects. 

"Industry players in Poland are considering investment in Indonesia as a strategic decision," Hazairin says.

 A delegation of Polish state company executives is scheduled to visit Indonesia in January to further boost economic relations between the two countries. 

Sejm member Orzechowski admits the need to explore people-to-people contact is lacking in the bilateral ties Poland and Indonesia have built. 

He said the Polish parliament had proposed the government initiate student exchange programs and provide scholarships to Indonesian nationals to study in Polish universities. 

"Not only is the student exchange program important, but it will help us maintain long-lasting cooperation. The students will be our ambassadors of friendship," Orzechowski said. 

He said Poland, home to Nobel laureate Marie Curie, was a suitable place for Indonesian and Asian students to study technology. 

"We have no other suggestion of choices but technology," he says. 

Hazairin said both governments were working on broader cooperation in education, which would include joint research, transfer of technology and student exchanges.

 

Aerospace added to defense expo

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia's biennial defense expo is expanding to include an aerospace expo showcasing the best of domestic defense and space technologies as well as renowned names from abroad.

Director General for Defense Facilities at the Defense Ministry Rear Marshal Eris Herryanto said Tuesday the exhibition would differ from past events held in 2004 and 2006 because of the added aerospace aspect.

"The reason behind the exhibition is to improve science and technological developments in weaponry and aerospace industries," he told reporters.

"The events also aim to show the world our developments in national defense industries."

This year the event will be held at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base instead of the Kemayoran Fairgrounds, the site of the first and second shows.

Hosted by the Defense Ministry, the Indo Defense and Aerospace (IDA) 2008 Expo and Forum will play host to 400 participants from 37 countries from Nov. 19-22.

There will be 11 international pavilions belonging to Bulgaria, Germany, Great Britain, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Korea and the United States.

Eris said the exhibitions would hopefully lead towards the independence of the national defense industry, broaden the insight of defense and aerospace industries and cater to users of weaponry systems and aerospace technologies.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expected to officially open the events although Eris said he is still waiting for confirmation.

Indonesia will be showcasing mainly its state-owned strategic industries such as firearms and ammunition manufacturer PT Pindad, shipyard PT PAL, aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia, train manufacturer PT INKA and steel manufacturer PT Krakatau Steel.

PT Pindad will showcase its newest 6x6 armored personnel carrier (APC) while PT Dirgantara Indonesia will display its CN-235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

"The APC will give a demonstration of its capabilities on the opening day," said Eris.

International defense companies attending include Kazan Helicopter, Sukhoi, EADS, PZL Swidnik, Korea Aerospace Industries, Rheinmetall and Raytheon.

Eris said there would also be a seminar called "Defense Technology Capabilities and Improving the Role of National Air Transportation", which is being organized by the Air Power Club Indonesia (APCI).

Meanwhile, Herman Wiryadipoera, from event organizer PT Napindo Media Ashatama, said the first three days would be a trade exhibition for professionals only but the public could attend on the fourth day, Saturday.

"The general public will have to pay Rp 100,000 (US$8.81) and provide copies of their identity cards to visit the venue," he said. (pmf)

Indonesian Army to buy 13 helicopters from Russia

Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Army Chief of Staff Gen Djoko Santoso said the Army would buy 10 MI-17 and three MI-35 helicopters from Russia.

"Besides, we will also buy some missiles from China and Poland," he said after officiating at ceremony marking the transfer of duties of the Brawijaya Command chief from Maj Gen Syamsul Mappareppa to Maj Gen Bambang Suranto here on Wednesday.

But to meet its need for weapons and combat equipment the Army would rely on products of the local arms industry, namely state-owned PT Pindad which was already capable of making long-barrel arms, mortars and combat vehicles.

He said the needed money would be from the state export credit budget (US$120 million) and other budgets (Rp500 billion).

Among those who attended the transfer-of-duties ceremony were also former East Java governor M Noer and former Brawijaya Command chief Lt Gen Moergito.

Poland intends to engage in coal mining sector in Sumatera

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Polish FAMUR International Trade S.A. firm, has intended to invest US$50 million in a coal mining project in Air Laya area in Bukit Asam district in South Sumatra, Indonesian Ambassador for Poland Hazairin Pohan has said.

Indonesian and Polish officials including FAMUR International Trade S.A. president Rafal Rost had already discussed the plan which was held on the sidelines of SIMEX mining equipment and metallurgy international exhibition in Katowice last week, Pohan said in a statement made available to ANTARA here Monday.

SIMEX Fair 2007 which was participated in by 100 mining equipment producers from German, Britain, Italy, Russia and Poland was one of the Europe`s largest mining industrial expo.

The Air Laya coal mining project was an open pit but now began to be turned into an underground mine where miners had dug the earth down to 100 meters.

Pohan was quoted as saying high calorie coal could expectedly be found 150 meter below the soil.

FAMUR S.A. has so far engaged in Barito Line project in Central Kalimantan where the Polish firm has invested $1 billion to build a new railway system, replacing the 150-year old one.

FAMUR has been preparing a program to develop nickel and copper processing firms in many places in Indonesia. Therefore, FAMUR as well as the Polish and the Indonesian governments had been had been discussing the program to implement the project which would need an investment value amounting to $50 million.

Pohan has encouraged FAMUR to participate in a development project of a 90-km long railway which would connect economic centers to Tanjung Api Api port in South Sumatra.

?If the $350 million worth of railway project is agreed by the Polish government, South Sumatra administration will have a big chance to build an inner seaport in the future,? Pohan was quoted as saying.

Another Polish firm, KOPEX S.A. has also intended to engage in a coal mine project in South Kalimantan.