Accident prone: foreign minister's gaffes sour ties with Jakarta

Article Abstract:

New Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer has committed a series of political errors regarding Indonesia that have subjected him and his administration to attacks at home. Though Indonesia has been too preoccupied with internal affairs to raise much fuss, Downer first nominated an unpopular official for Australia's new ambassador to Jakarta, then was accused of lying to parliament regarding overseas reactions to Australia's proposed foreign aid cuts, then botched a report critical of Indonesia's military.

Australia, Indonesia, Diplomacy, Australian foreign relations, Indonesian foreign relations, Downer, Alexander

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Back from the diaspora: overseas Vietnamese flock to the motherland

Article Abstract:

Older Vietnamese-Americans and other expatriate Vietnamese still resent the attitude their country took toward them and the course of development communist rulers imposed. A generational change favoring younger, more pragmatic members, however, is winning over a community that 10 years ago espoused violent overthrow of Vietnam's govt. Anger and mourning linger, but economic development now has more converts, with the hope that political change will follow as skilled expatriates return to rebuild their country.

United States, Refugees, Vietnamese, Vietnamese refugees, Vietnamese (Southeast Asian people), Vietnamese in the United States, Vietnamese Americans

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Cambodian treasures

Article Abstract:

A selection of priceless Cambodian antiques is on display at 'The Age of Angkor' exhibition in Canberra, Australia. The exhibition signifies a resumption of cultural exchanges between Australia and Cambodia that had been interrupted by the Cambodian war. The exhibits date mostly to the ninth-13th centuries and have been borrowed from the National Museum in Cambodia. Australians visiting the exhibition are requested to donate money towards the restoration of the war-ravaged museum in Phnom Penh.

Exhibitions, Antiquities, Cambodia, Antiques, Canberra, Australia

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