Clark makes a new close friend in Yudhoyono

President Yudhoyono faces a Maori warrior at Government House in Wellington. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Through her body language as much as her words Helen Clark made clear just how important she considered the visit of Indonesia's first directly elected President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

As she tiptoed around the sensitive topic of separatist tensions in Aceh and West Papua, Helen Clark turned to speak to Yudhoyono as directly as physically reasonable during their joint Beehive press conference.

"We see you as someone who has taken his country forward," she said, half-facing him.

"We applaud the work you are personally doing in the regions of Aceh and Papua, to talk face-to-face with people and move issues on.

"We also welcome the personal efforts you have made to strengthen the relationship with Timor-Leste. Your courage in building those relationships is very much appreciated."

The former soldier's presidential campaign last year promised a peaceful resolution to conflict in Indonesia's troubled provinces. But international media have noted his hand in ordering the security crackdown in Aceh, while his own military role in East Timor during Indonesia's occupation has yet to be scrutinised.

And those responsible for the slaughter of hundreds of East Timorese after the 1999 independence referendum have not been brought to justice.

That failure has prevented New Zealand lifting a freeze on military ties between the two countries - a largely symbolic ban - but Helen Clark this week indicated it may yet be eased.

She declared the "chapter" - not book - closed on the 1999 killings but added that a change in the defence relationship could be addressed over time.

The reality, following the September 11, 2001 and the 2002 Bali bombings, is New Zealand must look to its own security interests in the region, which includes the world's most populous Muslim country.

Just four months before the New York attack, Helen Clark talked of an "incredibly benign strategic environment" in the Asia-Pacific. That complacency has evaporated.

While it did not bring any firm commitment for a security pact, as Indonesia and Australia agreed, or for the pursuit of a bilateral trade deal, the 48-hour visit of Yudhoyono and six cabinet ministers was significant simply because it took place.

New Zealand needs allies in Asia for economic and strategic reasons and, with Indonesia hunting foreign investment, Yudhoyono went to some lengths to position himself as that friend - even if his rhetoric was excruciatingly cuddly.

"When I think of New Zealand from now on, I will think of clean air, beautiful landscapes and good food.

"But most of all I will think of the gentle warmth and kind souls of the Kiwis here."