Former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer has praised the Indonesian government's efforts to fight terrorism, following the arrests of several suspects from last month's twin hotel bombings.
"I think the Indonesian government over many years has done a very good job in addressing the question of terrorism," Downer said Thursday after a meeting with Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika in Denpasar.
"The Indonesian government, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his ministers and other officials, have been very effective in their counterterrorism strategy."
The ongoing cooperation between Indonesia's National Police and the Australian Federal Police, Downer went on, was crucial to strengthening the counterterrorism measures.
"I think the cooperation between the Australian government and the Indonesian government is not only very important in countering terrorism, but has been a very important bond between the two countries," he said.
Downer said the security system and counterterrorism strategies implemented in Indonesia, particularly in Bali, were of great importance for Australia.
"It's because so many Australians come here," he said.
The close and historic relations between Australia and Bali, Downer added, had made the island the favorite holiday destination for a large number of Australians.
"That's why while the travel advisory says to be careful, Australians will still come to Bali," he said.
Issuing the travel advisory, Downer explained, was a duty the Australian government had to fulfill.
"From Australia's point of view, we publish travel advisories to explain to people the dangers and risks," he said.
"But I think the truth is many Australians go on holiday in Bali and I think people not only say Bali is a beautiful place, but they say the people in Bali are beautiful people.
"They are friendly and kind people. The terrorist bombings in Bali in 2002 and 2005 haven't really changed people's minds about the Balinese people."
He added his meeting with Mangku Pastika was part of efforts to strengthen Australia-Bali cooperation.
"We had a significant talk over the Bali bombings," he said.
"The governor has been a good friend to Australia and it's important to us to maintain contact with him."
Mangku Pastika was the head of a counterterrorism squad that successfully investigated the 2002 bombings and apprehended the perpetrators.
Pastika said Downer's visit was a good one.
"We discussed many things, from the global financial crisis to the H1N1 flu," he said.
"It was a friendly chat."
