Dr. Habibie, Distinguished Guests.
I am delighted that my visit to Indonesia brings me to Bandung.
Your city has played a key role in the development of modern Indonesia and its people are famous for their outward-looking and dynamic approach to life.
And of course today it is the home of your foremost technical university and your leading high technology industry. [end p1]
I am told that your city is known locally as Kota Kembang, the city of flowers.
Sadly, my busy programme has not allowed me to devote as much time to seeing them as I should like. [end p2]
I have been reminded during my visit of the great variety of cultural influences which have gone to form your nation today and which have been so successfully blended together in modern times under your philosophy of Pancasila.
This long experience of absorbing other cultures and ideas and mixing them with the best of your own puts you in an excellent position to [end p3] benefit from what is perhaps the most far-reaching opportunity in the world today, new technology.
I well remember, Dr. Habibie, that we talked of the prospects offered by technology during your visit to the United Kingdom in 1983. I also remember that you had just been made an Honorary Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society on the day we met, and we both celebrated this.
The proposal which I would like to put to you today is for closer collaboration between Britain and Indonesia in exploiting and fostering new technology and scientific achievement. [end p4]
For working together can help us both succeed.
Britain is already contributing to Indonesia's industrialisation, particularly in the fields of communications, power generation, oil and gas and civil engineering.
British consultants have a deservedly high reputation here, and Indonesia makes use of the financial services provided by the City of London.
But there is scope for much more.
In this vast country with its thousands of [end p5] islands, communications are of particular importance to economic development.
We have followed with admiration your own ambitious programmes in this field and particularly your increasing use of advanced satellite technology.
The United Kingdom is a leader in this field, in telecommunications, in the development of optical fibre links, in computer systems design, software and training, and in the manufacture of small and micro-computers—every school in Britain, both primary and secondary, now has at least one computer. We have a lot to offer in these areas. [end p6]
And remember: there are a host of applications which can benefit rural, isolated areas as much as cities.
Energy collaboration is another field in which Britain, a major oil producer, like Indonesia, is admirably qualified.
With our experience gained in the often difficult conditions of the North Seal, we can help with the further development of your offshore resources in oil and gas. We are pioneering modern mining techniques as well as remote control mining and seismological technology. [end p7]
Defence is a third key area.
The manner in which you have developed, in a remarkably short period of time, your own defence and aviation industries—in particular the very impressive aircraft factory here at PT Nurtanio which I had the pleasure of visiting this morning—owes a great deal, I know, to your own personal inspiration and careful guidance.
I have been intrigued today as I have walked round this splendid enterprise by the Nurtanio Logo. I have been told that this was a deliberate choice, the “sumping” [ear ornament] of Gatot Kaca who was not just well known for [end p8] his ability to fly but a symbol of a hero who devoted his life entirely to his country.
We have already been able to help in building the strength of your navy and air force, and in identifying their future requirements through the recently completed Air Defence Study.
Dr. Habibie, Stamford Raffles, referring to the local people in his “History of Java” , said: “Hospitality is universal among them; it is enjoined by their most ancient institutions and practised with readiness and zeal” . [end p9]
I am very glad to see that in this at least the ancient and modern in Indonesia do not differ one bit.
Thank you again for this delightful lunch, for the excellent arrangements made for my visit to Bandung, and for giving me this chance to remind you and your colleagues of what Britain has to offer for the future of Indonesia.
We look forward to seeing you again in Britain later this year, when I hope we can continue our discussions.