H.E. .Mr .J.E.HABIBIE  AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA TO THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS.

Exellency ,dear Mr Habibi,

It is a great honour to be invited to your farewell reception.

We got to know you not alone as the Ambassador of the year but also as a great bridge –builder. And as someone who knows us Dutch sometimes better than we know ourselves.
And last but not least as a great friend of the Dutch people.

We share a long past , which unfortunately  has been often  the cause of many misunderstandings. But fortunately in every generation there were always statesmen from both our countries , who knew time and time again to find new ways and learn new truths. You are one of those statesmen  with a vision.

I often hear people saying : we should leave the past and go for the future.
I do not agree, we should not leave the past, but teach our children and grandchildren the lessons of the past. What we need in our schools is more history not less history . Unfortunately we have not always been teaching  children the lessons of war ,injustice and reconciliation.
 We have to teach them also to be bridge builders.

The President of the European Nations, Mr Rompuy in an interview  two days ago, said that Europeans should never forget why Europe came into being. Two World Wars, a Europe divided and in ruins. If we are able to build a united Europe that will strengthen the whole world. Europe is not alone about the Euro but about good governance,  peace with the past, and a vision for the future.

A United Europe can be the gateway for Asia and the world . People can build trustworthy relationships between common people like you and me but also between nations. The Euro can not do that.

And we in the Netherlands should not even want to forget the past. Especially not our colonial past. In the contrary we should study the history of the Indonesian people how they fought and still fight for one nation, one people one language. The long road to their Freedom. If we learn to respect their Freedom fight, many things will become clear to us. We will understand how important is the day ,that their Founding Fathers on august 17, 1945 proclaimed their Independance. And how important it is today to keep their nation together.

If we understand the importance of Europe, we will understand the importance of the unity of the Republic of Indonesia.

A United Indonesia, and a United Europe can pave the way for the millions in other continents who are craving for Freedom and a new World Order. Is that our vision?

Mr Ambassador, we are sad that you are leaving us, but I know that you will be back ,because as you told me yourself you  have a little place in Holland were you can go to whenever you feel like it. Whenever you want to meet some of the many friends you have here.

I wish you  very good  and inspiring years on your new road. Thank you for all you gave us, your heart and your common sense.  God bless you

Joty ter Kulve
Wassenaar