5th September 2002:
The morning saw President Try Sutrisno and the Indonesian delegation travel across the Channel by train before arriving at the Gare Du Nord Station in Paris, France. After being welcomed at the train station by French Minister of Foreign Affairs Dominique de Villepin, Try’s motorcade travelled to Elysee Palace where he was given a welcoming ceremony by President of France Alain Juppe. Once the photo-op was finished, it was time for a talk as Juppe asked Try to join him at the Golden Room.
Once Try, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ginandjar Kartasasmita, and State Secretary Edi Sudrajat got done reminding themselves of the luxurious surroundings which they had previously visited with Chirac, Juppe was ready to talk. Juppe saw his and France’s position as advocating for a multipolar world but said that multipolar does not mean always taking a for or against position against certain countries, but rather sometimes being in support and sometimes against as the situation calls for it. Try would tell Juppe that he saw France’s position as being similar to Indonesia’s “free and active” foreign policy.
Ginandjar asked Juppe and de Villepin what would France’s position be as regards Yugoslavia. Juppe said that it’s been “obvious” for some time what the United States of America and the United Kingdom’s intentions are towards Yugoslavia and towards its president Slobodan Milosevic. De Villepin said that unless the United States and the United Kingdom can find legitimate grounds and approval from the United Nations for military action, France will not give its support.
On economic issues, Juppe said that he has heard of some rumblings from within the CGI nations about how the 10-year moratorium on debt repayment should result in accelerated trade liberalization and economic reform on Indonesia’s part. To Try’s relief, Juppe dismissed this as the foursome of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada trying throw their weight around. Juppe said that France’s own economy is far from free market, that both Indonesia’s economic performance and economic management is sound, and that with sections of the Islamic world still unenthusiastic about the War on Terror there should not be any question about the 10-year moratorium on debt repayment. Try explained that even with extra funds being freed up from the repayment of debt, the Indonesian government’s aim has been to maintain economically responsible policies though a “by the letter” approach to economic policy is impossible.
The conversation moved on to the War on Terror and de Villepin praised Indonesia’s “resolution” in the War of Terror. Try used the opportunity to promote Pancasila, saying that ideology is what has helped Indonesia battle what it defines as the Extreme Right. De Villepin asked whether Indonesia has considered grouping together with nations who are likeminded in attitude towards radicalism.
“At the G-15 next month, Algeria has invited Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, Pakistan, Malaysia and ourselves to sit down together and discuss these matters” replied Ginandjar.
De Villepin said that perhaps another nation for Indonesia’s consideration is Turkey, though Turkey is not in the G-15.
Then the conversation took an unexpected turn. What began as Juppe and de Villepin trying to guess where exactly in the world Indonesia was, with Try and Ginandjar helping, ended with them realizing that Indonesia was “quite close” to France’s Pacific Territories in Oceania. Edi would later swear he saw the wheels turn in Ginandjar’s head at this. Ginandjar asked Juppe and de Villepin what was France’s presence in the Pacific like to which they replied 4,000 personnel in New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and the Wallis and Futuna Islands. Then Edi swore he could see the wheels also turn in Try’s head as the latter casually quipped that France as a “prominent nation in the world” has legitimate interests that warrants a presence larger than that in the Pacific. Juppe and the de Villepin smiled and laughed off the comments but were clearly thinking about the implications of what was being said.
That night, Try attended a Chambre de Commerce et D’Industrie (CCI) dinner. Delivering a keynote speech in front of French and Indonesian businessmen, Try said that it has become very vital for Indonesia to deepen its relationship with France and with other European nations across various areas of cooperation.
“I do not believe that the current period in world history is a New Cold War but is instead a Multipolar Moment. And that the European Union as a collective or its individual nations, such as France, is one of the poles in this multipolar world”, Try said.
6th September 2002:
The morning saw Try arrive at the Hotel Matignon accompanied by Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Minister of Defense and Security Wismoyo Arismunandar (who joins the delegation in Paris), Minister of Economics and National Development Planning Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Minister of Trade Anthony Salim, Minister of Tourism Soeyono, Head of BKPM Mari Pangestu, and Edi Sudrajat.
Across the table were Prime Minister of France Jean Pierre Rafarrin who were accompanied by de Villepin, Minister of Defense Michelle Alliot-Marie, Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industry Francis Mer, and Minister of Culture and Communication Jean Jacques Aillagon. The results of the meeting included the following:
Try and Rafarrin signed an MoU committing Indonesia and France to deepening cooperation with a focus of trade and investment, education, and culture.
Dorodjatun and Mer signed an agreement which would result in the French Government providing technical assistance and aid to the construction of the Trans-Sulawesi Railway starting with the Ujung Pandang-Pare-Pare Route.
Soeyono and Aillagon signed an agreement which would see the construction and establishment of the Institut Francais d’Indonesie, a French cultural institute, in Jakarta.
The highlight fell to Wismoyo and Alliot-Marie. The two ministers of defense signed an agreement which would see Indonesia purchase 50 VAB armored personnel carriers from France to add to the 50 VAB already in the ABRI’s possession at the moment. Wismoyo was very pleased with the agreement though he would tell the Indonesian press corps who had come on the visit that there would be “more toys” before the trip was over.
After Friday Prayer, Try paid his respects at the tomb of deceased President of France Jacques Chirac, Try laid a wreath and saluted the tomb.
7th September 2002:
Try and the Indonesian delegation today visited an Asian Furniture Exhibition at the Paris-Nord Exhibition Center where there were a lot of Indonesian furniture exporters participating in the exhibition. Try asked the furniture exporters if they had to to pay “extra” to be able to participate but ended up looking approvingly when all the participants said that the Indonesian Embassy in Paris’ officials had been working hard to ensure that as many Indonesian exporters as possible could participate in the exhibition.
Much to the disappointment of the Indonesian paricipants in the exhibition, Try did not stick around for long. He and Edi were the first to return to the hotel where Chief of ABRI Intelligence Agency Amirul Isnaeni and his men had finished setting up a secure line.
It was Vice President JB Sumarlin calling from Jakarta. Sumarlin reported that he had just spent the day in a meeting with Minister of Industry Siswono Yudohusodo and Minister of Agriculture Sarwono Kusumaatmadja. Sumarlin said that the two ministers were both ready to overcome their concerns about the resumption of AFTA.
Sumarlin said that both ministers wanted Try and Sumarlin’s commitment to support their sectors of the economy when AFTA resumes. For Siswono, this means accelerating the issuing of national export-quality standards for manufactured goods so that the Department of Industry can begin guiding producers to achieve these standards. Siswono also requested assistant for investment promotion in manufacturing so that Indonesia does not simply rely on imported materials from around Southeast Asia once AFTA resumes.
Sarwono was keener on AFTA saying that tariff reductions will drive down the price of food. But at the same time, Sarwono asked for a commitment by the government to “decisively” push farmers into adding value to their produce (“More orange juice, orange candy, canned orange drinks instead of raw oranges”) as a way to cope with the increased competition in various foodstuffs from the increased import.
Try gave his approval and acceptance to Siswono and Sarwono’s requests which were delivered through Sumarlin saying that this was in line with his thought that the resumption of AFTA should not disadvantage Indonesia.
8th September 2002:
At a joint press conference at the Indonesian Embassy in Paris, Dorodjatun, Ginandjar, and Edi announced to the Indonesian press corps that the President has instructed relevant ministers and officials across the department and agencies to formulate a proposal for the resumption of AFTA to be presented at the ASEAN Summit this November.
The economic side of things was covered by Dorodjatun who explained that prices and production costs would be lowered, that the Indonesian economy can be more productive and that there will be greater access to Southeast Asian markets for Indonesian exports. When asked by the press whether the resumption of AFTA also meant a resumption of opening the Indonesian markets to Southeast Asian imports, Dorodjatun focused on the opportunity of AFTA saying that Indonesia will generate economic growth both for itself and for the region.
During his turn, Ginandjar said that he had spent the previous night informing governments around Southeast Asia about Indonesia’s intentions including Myanmar via its embassy in Bangkok. In particular he contacted Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen, Cambodia being the host and chair of the ASEAN Summit, asking him to place discussions about the possible resumption of AFTA on the agenda at the ASEAN Summit in November. When asked whether Indonesia was once again making a bid for regional leadership in Southeast Asia, Ginandjar said if Indonesia was to become the leader in Southeast Asia it would be because others have acknowledged it as such not because it has continued to self-proclaim that it is the leader.
Back at the hotel where he was staying, Try together with Wismoyo had breakfast with executives from Dassault, Thales, Renault, Naval Group, and Safran, in other words the top executives from the French defense industry, at a ballroom. After the meal, Try and Wismoyo walked around the small stands set up by the defense companies all of which promoted the products which they sold. Try spent the longest time at Naval Group’s stand asking questions about the Charles De Gaulle Aircraft Carrier it built for the French Navy. The consensus Try and Wismoyo would get from the breakfast was that Indonesia’s push to build up its military means that it is seen as an increasingly lucrative market for the world’s defense industry, including the French defense industry.
“How are the preparations for the next part of the trip?” asked Try.
“Our hosts have been generous enough in negotiations to the point that all we have to do now is specify the quantity, Mr. President”, replied Wismoyo “It’s our officers that need to make up their mind.”
Try tsked.
“I’d stayed out of interfering because I thought they’re the ones that need to make up their mind because they’re ones that actually need to use the equipment”, he said.
“Perhaps some intervention is necessary, Mr. President”, suggested Wismoyo “The Commander of ABRI and his delegation have already been there since Friday. I’m sure they will be keen to hear what you have to say.”
Try then hopped in the car and went to the Elysee Palace for a farewell call with Juppe. He returned to the topic of France possibly increasing its presence in the Pacific Ocean; repeating his statement that France has legitimate interests overseas and is “sufficiently powerful” nation to project its power to the other side of the globe. Juppe smiled and said that it was not that France had not thought about it either.
Then it was off to Charles De Gaulle Airport, the Presidential Airplane and next leg of the journey. On the Presidential Airplane, the mood was unquestionably more positive than at the end of the visit of the United Kingdom. The announcement of Indonesia’s intention to put AFTA back on the agenda had buoyed the mood of the Indonesian delegation though Edi’s happiness was tempered by a measure of curiosity.
“You and the Minister of Foreign Affairs trying to get Juppe warmed up to the idea of increasing France’s presence in the Pacific Ocean”, began Edi “That’s not in any of the preparation for the French visit, Mr. President.”
“It’s not”, replied Try “We were both improvising.”
Edi looked at Try with a look that said he was listening.
“What’s our current dilemma? China is our main security threat but the events of recent months suggests that we can’t just turn our backs on Australia whatever their reason is for making a fuss or trying to pick a fight or whatever” explained Try “And as we’ve found out at Downing Street, if things get heated with them, the Aussies are the ones with the powerful friends. Then the question becomes, why don’t we get some powerful friends of our own in Oceania?”
“So you want to get France to increase their presence in the Pacific to counter Australia?” asked Edi.
“At the very least to get them more involved that they start to feel they have the right to make some noise if necessary and have that noise be in our favor”, said Try “We’re no threat to them, their territories are far away enough from us.”
There was silence in the room.
“You have to raise a hat to the Vice President”, Try started “It’s no mean feat to get both Siswono and Sarwono to comply at the same time, I was worried he wouldn’t be able to do it.”
Edi chuckled.
“Well, if you’ve been following the word on the street, Mr. President, the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Agriculture have thrown their support behind the Vice President for a second term”, said Edi “Their jumping on board with AFTA is most likely their way of showing their confidence in the Vice President.”
It was mid-afternoon when the Presidential Airplane touched down at its destination. Try and First Lady Tuti Setiawati stepped down from the aircraft and received flowers from a boy and a girl. Tuti kissed the children and Try patted them on the head as they stepped back to give their greetings.
“
Wilkommen in Deutschland!” they said in unison.
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France’s off-screen happenings: Chirac gets assassinated on Bastille Day by Maxime Brunerie, Juppe wins the resulting presidential elections.
De Villepin praising Indonesia on its stance in the War on Terror and urging it to group together with likeminded nations is a nod at the strong stance his OTL self took to counter radical Islam
https://www.washingtonpost.com/arch...f-islam/9cd94374-bc8c-47cf-a12c-ba4df5b4e624/
The number of 4000 French troops stationed in its overseas pacific territories is based on
https://www.google.co.id/books/edit...cific+territories&pg=PA30&printsec=frontcover
