Indon president attacks Abbott over spying
Indonesia’s president has taken aim at Prime Minister Tony Abbott over phone-tapping revelations, accusing him of belittling the affair.
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono used Twitter to voice his displeasure over the claims that Australian spies targeted his mobile phone, and those of his wife and confidants.
The president said on Tuesday his government had “protested loudly” to Australia over the claims and sought an explanation.
He also said he was the one who instructed Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa to order the withdrawal of Indonesia’s ambassador from Canberra.
The president said Australia and the US had “injured” the strategic partnership with his country.
You might like
“We will also revisit our of bilateral co-operation agenda,” he told his four million followers in Indonesian, while warning of “painful consequences” for Australia.
“I also deplore the Australian Prime Minister’s statement that play down the spying issue on Indonesia, without feeling guilty,” he said, according to a translation.
Abbott wouldn’t say on Tuesday whether he would offer Indonesia an apology over the claims.
But he admitted “today may not be the best day” in the relationship.
Stay informed, daily
Indonesia’s ambassador to Australia Nadjib Kesoema believes a good explanation Abbott could ease diplomatic tensions over the spying allegations.
Jakarta has recalled Kesoema as part of its response to claims the Defence Signals Directorate in 2009 targeted the personal mobile numbers of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his wife Ani, as well as eight others in the president’s inner circle.
The ambassador spoke to reporters on Tuesday as he waited for a plane at Canberra airport.
Asked what Abbott could do to make things right with Indonesia, Kesoema said: “A good explanation will be the best way to ease the problem.”
How long he would be away from Canberra would depend on Jakarta, he said.
“My minister for foreign affairs has explained a lot of things yesterday,” he said.
“This is the standpoint. This is the position of the Indonesian government.”
