FED: Business leader new Australia Indonesia Institute chair

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-1998
FED: Business leader new Australia Indonesia Institute chair

CANBERRA, Dec 1 AAP - Former BHP director and James Hardie Industries chairman James Reid
was today appointed the new chairman of the Australia-Indonesia Institute (AII).

The appointment could signal a change in direction for the Institute, whose previous
chairman was former Ambassador to Indonesia Richard Woolcott.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Mr Reids appointment would enable the Institute to
build upon its solid achievement in improving ties between the two countries.

"I mention in particular the establishment of an innovative civil society development
program, which has ensured that the AII remains relevant to the changing situation in
Indonesia," he said in statement.

"The government places great importance on people-to-people links between Indonesia and
Australia. At the end of the day these links are the bedrock of the bilateral relationship."

AAP ss/kr

KEYWORD: INDON AUST

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