What Australian papers are saying today, Jan 18 2001

AAP General News (Australia)
01-18-2001
What Australian papers are saying today, Jan 18 2001

SYDNEY, Jan 18 AAP - Australia's new ambassador to Indonesia, Ric Smith, takes up his
posting at a difficult time in Indonesian politics, writes the Sydney Morning Herald in
today's editorial.

"The situation in Jakarta is highly unstable. Some 15 months after his election, Mr
(Abdurrahman) Wahid's hold on the presidency is tenuous, owing less to real authority
than to a lack of any consensus among potential rivals about replacing him."

Given the situation, it may be some time before Mr Wahid has time to think beyond his
own problems.

…