Australian Embassy claims no knowledge of intelligence unit<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post,
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Australia's intention to open a permanent intelligence office in
\nJakarta has given rise to confusion, with the country's embassy
\nhere admitting it had not been informed about the plan.<\/p>\n
The embassy spokesman, Kirk Coningham, said the intelligence
\nbody, the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO),
\nhad not yet notified the embassy that it intended to establish a
\nnew unit here.<\/p>\n
However, as ties between Australia and Indonesia got closer
\nfollowing the Bali carnage, intelligence cooperation between two
\ncountries would likely increase, he said.<\/p>\n
Reports said that ASIO would open a permanent office in
\nJakarta as part of moves to step up regional counterterrorism
\nefforts following the bomb attack in Bali.<\/p>\n
The Bali incident killed nearly 200 people and injured
\nhundreds of others, with over 90 of the victims being
\nAustralians.<\/p>\n
According to the report, Australia had been planning to
\nupgrade its presence in Indonesia since early this year, but only
\ntook action after the Oct. 12 bombing in Bali.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Marty
\nNatalegawa said that it would be impossible for any foreign
\ncountry to open an independent intelligence office in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"So far, even the Australian government themselves cannot
\nconfirm the report and the Indonesian government has never been
\ninformed about such a possibility," Marty said.<\/p>\n
He asserted that the only possibility was the assigning of an
\nintelligence liaison officer as part of the diplomatic mission to
\nenhance intelligence cooperation between the two countries.<\/p>\n
"The measure would be possible as the two governments signed a
\nMemorandum of Understanding on terrorism in February," he told
\nthe Post.<\/p>\n
Marty stressed that the liaison officer in the conduct of his
\nduties would have to comply with the international rules
\ngoverning diplomatic missions.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
\nSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono also said that the Indonesian government
\nhad never been informed of any such intention on the part of the
\nAustralian government.<\/p>\n
"Even if the report is correct, then we would expect the
\nAustralian government to officially inform us," he told a press
\nconference after a ministerial meeting on security affairs on
\nTuesday.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/australian-embassy-claims-no-knowledge-of-intelligence-unit-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}