If Australia was gaining any ascendency in the Great Cartoon debate we lost it with Bill Leaks answering Rakyat Merdeka’s grubby effort depicting Howard and Downer in sexual union with a equally grubby cartoon depicting SBY doing something similar to the West Papuans.
Bill , in a satirical piece in todays Australian asks;WHY is it that us cartoonists are copping so much flak lately? Because some of your cartoons offend people, that’s why, but then you already know that Bill, it’s how you sell copy. Satire, all to often an excuse for stating ones opinion under the guise of poor taste, doesn’t answer the critics and all the cartoon has done is made it more difficult for Howard and Downer to placate the Indonesians over the Papuan refugees.
It’s difficult enough as it is without undergrad humour.
Trying to bring some sense into the debate PM Howard tries to defuses the debate saying;
(He was) optimistic yesterday that Australian-Indonesian relations would survive the rift over Papua, as Australians rallied in four cities to support the Papuan cause for independence from Jakarta.
I’m not sure supporting the Free West Papua movement is the way to go at the moment. Better to keep encouraging the Indonesians to be reasonable in their handling of the area. I’m further convinced it’s a no-win situation when I read Senator Bob Brown addressed the rally. If he’s involved whatever he suggests won’t be in anyones interest. I note in other sources that the Indonesians have refused to give Greens Senator Kerry Nettle a visa to visit.
Good move.
Bob Brown is quotes as saying;
“If the Howard Government’s repeated calls for liberty and democracy around the world are not hollow, then it must act to ensure one million West Papuans get liberty and democracy,” Senator Brown said.
Long on Howard bashing yet decidedly short on suggestions as to just how Australia might force Indonesia to give West Papuans liberty and democracy. What does Bob mean by liberty and democracy…Independance? ….another East Timor?
No wonder the Indonesians are cranky with loose cannons like Brown suggesting in a public arena that Australia should ensure anything relating to what are after all, peoples of a sovereign government. Let the diplomats encourage the Indons to lift their game without making public statements that could be construed as interefering threats.