Prime Minister John Howard has suggested Indonesia and Australia are entering a new era of cooperation and friendship, after his first official meeting with new Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The leaders met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the Chilean capital Santiago. Mr Howard says both countries have expressed a genuine desire to improve the relationship.He says he and Dr Yudhoyono discussed a range of issues, including economic cooperation, counter-terrorism and the educational links between the two countries. Mr Howard has also invited the Indonesian leader to visit Australia. "There is a determined view from both of us that relations between the two countries will be strengthened," he said. "He is very anxious to reinvigorate the ministerial forum, as I am. I've renewed my invitation to him to visit Australia." Mr Howard says that the two did not discuss a possible security treaty. Mr Howard has also met with the leaders of Singapore, New Zealand and Chile.
Meanwhile, Chilean anti-riot police have fired water and tear gas at bands of masked protesters in a massive rally against the APEC summit. Tens of thousands of activists had marched peacefully in the police-authorised demonstration through Santiago. But as the procession culminated with a concert in a central park, small knots of masked protesters destroyed telephone cabins, smashed lamps and lobbed stones at police and through the windows of a closed McDonald's restaurant. In other developments: Prime Minister John Howard has welcomed a move to set up a study to look at a free trade agreement involving all Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation