6.23 More recently the election of the Yudhoyono Government has presaged an enchancment in relations between the two nations. Australian navy coordination of US and Australian aid to the province of Aceh following the Boxing Day 2004 Tsunami was understood and well acquired by President Yudhoyono. The warmth of the President’s welcome in Australia, the subsequent generosity of the Australian public toward the catastrophe victims in Indonesia and the region and the Australian national contribution to Indonesian reconstruction all aided the strengthening of the connection. Finally the shared tragedy of Indonesian catastrophe and the loss of 9 ADF personnel when their helicopter crashed during relief operations on Nias Island may have ensured the relationship between Australia and Indonesia is as harmonious as has been the case for many years. 6.21 Despite this basic acceptance of the US position within the region, Australia’s alliance with the US has not all the time been an asset in our engagement with the ASEAN member nations. Our relationship with our largest instant neighbour Indonesia is illustrative of this divergence.
