Indonesian, Australia leaders trade jabs over spying allegations

19 November 2013 10:25 am - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The leaders of Indonesia and Australia traded punches on Tuesday in a row over alleged spying by Canberra, with both sides refusing to back down in a growing rift between the two often uneasy neighbors.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono used Twitter, following the recall of Indonesia's ambassador to Australia the previous day, to accuse Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott of dismissing his country's concerns.

Abbott, in office since September, rejected calls for an explanation, describing surveillance by Australian governments as "reasonable intelligence operations".

The latest flare-up followed Australian media reports, quoting documents leaked by former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, that Australian spy agencies had tried to tap the mobile phones of Yudhoyono, his wife and senior officials.

Reports last month said Australia's Jakarta embassy had been part of a U.S.-led surveillance network to spy on Indonesia.

"I ... regret the statement of Australian Prime Minister that belittled this tapping matter on Indonesia, without any remorse," he wrote. He did not say to which statement by Abbott he was referring.

"These U.S. & Australian actions have certainly damaged the strategic partnerships with Indonesia, as fellow democracies," Yudhoyono tweeted.

Indonesia, he wrote, "demands an official response, one that can be understood by the public".

DIFFERENCES OVER ASYLUM SEEKERS

Abbott was unrepentant.

"I don't believe that Australia should be expected to apologize for reasonable intelligence gathering operations, just as I don't expect other countries or other governments to apologize for their reasonable intelligence gathering operations," he told parliament.

Earlier he told reporters that the two countries had a very good relationship, but added: "Obviously today may not be the best day in that relationship.

He pledged never to undertake any action that would damage ties with Indonesia, "which is, all in all - our most important relationship".

Australia and Indonesia have a long and turbulent history in their relations.

In 2009, an Indonesian officer admitted the military had killed five foreign journalists, including two Australians, to cover up the early stages of its 1975 invasion of East Timor.

Indonesia recalled its ambassador to Australia in 2006 in protest over a decision to grant temporary visas to 42 asylum seekers from the Indonesian province of West Papua.

Relations had improved more recently, helped by the settling of a disagreement over live cattle exports to Indonesia. But they have deteriorated under Abbott in the face of disagreements over the handling the politically charged issue of asylum seekers trying to reach Australia via Indonesia.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa recalled the ambassador to Canberra, calling the reported eavesdropping "nothing less than an unfriendly act ... (that) has a serious impact on bilateral relations".

Australia's former Foreign Minister Bob Carr, now in opposition, told Australian Broadcasting Corp radio: "I think this is nothing short of catastrophic."

He warned that the fallout from the spying spat could extend into Indonesia's presidential elections next year.

"None of the half dozen suggested names for the next president is going to find it easy to do anything but lambast Australia and our treatment of Indonesia," Carr said, calling on Foreign Minister Julia Bishop to apologize to Indonesia.

(Editing by Jonathan Thatcher and Ron Popeski)

(Source : Reuters)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Indonesian, Australia leaders trade jabs over spying allegations

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

New Visa procedure implemented

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident