In diplomatic terms, withdrawal of the Ambassador from Canberra sends a strong message of disapproval of Australia's action. Indonesia later refused to participate in a military exercise with Australia, a clear sign of strained relations.

It is reported that 42 West Papuans alleged human rights abuses in the province of West Papua and Australia's Department of Immigration cleared them as refugees. Some of the West Papuans, accepted as refuges, led the independence movement of West Papua, just as Achenese rebels wanted independence from Indonesia.

The acceptance of refugees from West Papuan ran counter to what Australia did toward nationals from Iraq and Afghanistan in 2001. Australia rejected them as refugees, although they qualified as refugees under the UN 1950 Refugee Convention. They were sent to Nauru, a small Pacific island-state, where they were put up. It is commonly known as "Pacific solution" in the region.

Furthermore it is reported that Indonesia's President rang up Australia's conservative Prime Minister John Winston Howard that no harm would be done to West Papuans if they would be sent back. But Australian authorities did not heed to President's personal assurance of safety. There was the rub and gross insensitivity of Australia was manifested to Indonesia.

The Indonesian President paid a visit to Australia last year and forged good relationship with Australia. It was expected that Australia would conduct its relations with Indonesia in such a manner that there could be no room for misunderstanding between the two countries. Both countries attach importance to their relationship. Indonesia is a vast archipelago country to the north of Australia and any strained relationship would affect both countries, more on Australia.

Against the background of treatment of Iraqis and Afghanis, quick acceptance of West Papuans as refugees in Australia raised question as to why West Papuans were accepted, while cases of others were summarily and inhumanely rejected.

The refugee issue of West Papuans led Indonesia to be wary of Australia's role of supporters of Papuan independence from Indonesia. There must be some reasons for the 180-degree turn of decision with regard to criterion of a refugee by Australia

There are reasons for Indonesia to consider the acceptance of West Papuans as refugees in Australia as "unfriendly." Indonesia was hurt and publicly humiliated because acceptance of refugees implies to the outside world that there exist egregious breaches of human rights in the Indonesian province of West Papua.

Political observers believe that there are several reasons and some of them deserve mention:

First, perception in Indonesia is that since West Papuans are Christians, like the East Timorese, Australia takes interest in them. It is often argued that if West Papuans were not Christians, Australia would not bother to shelter them.

Second, Australia is interested in human rights when they occur in the context of independence struggles. A segment of West Papuans have for years resisted being a part of Indonesia and they have been pursuing their aim, often with violence and burning Indonesian flags. They got a huge boost when East Timor earned independence from Indonesia. Perception in Indonesia has been that if Australia would not have intervened, East Timor would have been a part of Indonesia.

Third, Indonesia is a state with multi-lingual, multi-religious and multi-ethnic nation. In a nation-state, all ethnic people co-exist and live peacefully since its inception of "nation-state" conceived by the 1648 Westphalian Treaty. The motto of nation state is unity through diversity. If ethnicity is a criterion, many modern states will disintegrate and disappear. For example, Russia, China and India demonstrate that modern state can exist with all their variety of people, religion, language and ethnicity. This being the case, just because West Papuans are different in ethnic background from that of Indonesians, West Papua could be separated from Indonesia.

Fourth, many are tempted to differentiate Java and Papua because they look at a narrower lens of Indonesia's heritage and culture. Some argue that there is little difference between eastern Indonesia and West Papua because in both places Christianity has been the major religion among population.

Fifth, there is a perception in Australia that it should act as "a Deputy Sheriff" on behalf of the US in the region. Australia's north and Pacific region is considered to be its backyard. In recent days, Australia sent its troops to Solomon Islands when riots took place over political power. Earlier it sent its police to Papua New Guinea.

Finally, Many Indonesians have lurking suspicion that Australia's interest in West Papua lies because it has huge copper mines. Some Australian companies are keenly interested to exploit them.

Australia's Foreign Secretary visited Indonesia in the third week of April but failed to resolve issues relating to refugees. Its Foreign Minister is likely to visit Indonesia to sort out the problem. Even Prime Minister Howard is likely to meet with Indonesia's President in Jakarta, to restore their bilateral relations normal and friendly.

Meanwhile, Australia realised its diplomatic mistake in giving refugee status so readily to West Papuans and Australian authorities have currently undertaken legislative reforms, indicating much more rigidity in accepting refugees from West Papua.

Barrister Harun ur Rashid is a former Bangladesh Ambassador to the UN, Geneva.