SMS: Yudhoyono's Australian visit

Your comments on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's plan to visit Australia in March and the current relationship between the two countries

Australia needs Indonesia to become a prosperous and stable country.

It's important for their immigration issues and to resolve their "distance" problem by trading with closer countries.

Immigration and distance are clearly the major issues of Australia for now and in the future. Indonesia is their solution.

Indonesia must see Australia as the closest rich country with more than 20 million people that can bring many economic opportunities.

Both countries apply a democratic system and believe in pluralism. So, Yudhoyono's visit is important to remind us that we are neighbors in this promising region.

Ade Cahyat
Canberra

I see leadership as the new variable. As a Labor Party leader having a deep-grounded academic background in Asian studies, Kevin Rudd will possibly have a better understanding of Asian values, culture and history that shape the neighboring country's politics, economic system and democracy.

His predecessor from the same party, Paul Keating, had shown this during his relationship with Soeharto's administration.

This is somewhat different to what former PM John Howard did in practice.

I see a better understanding, approach and cultural bridging efforts between the two neighbors ahead.

Indonesians and Australians are long-time neighbors that have got to know one another and somehow got used to the presence of each other in their daily lives.

But as a representation of the West and the Asian model, they often forget what could be sensitive issues they should be aware of.

Anggoro Budi Nugroho
Jakarta

What is there to comment on? It is just a visit between close neighbors. There is no big deal at all.

Tony L
Jakarta