Australian envoy summoned over antiterrorism raids<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government summoned an Australian embassy official on Friday
\nto express its concerns over the on-going raids against
\nIndonesian citizens in that country.<\/p>\n
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Marty Natalegawa said
\nMinister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda had met with an
\nAustralian embassy representative in Jakarta to reiterate
\nIndonesia's concerns over searches of homes belonging to its
\ncitizens in Australia.<\/p>\n
Marty did not name the representative but a source at the
\nforeign ministry said Hassan met with deputy ambassador Neil
\nMules.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister John Howard appointed former Australian
\nAmbassador to Indonesia Richard Smith as defense secretary in
\nOctober and has not appointed a replacement.<\/p>\n
Marty said Canberra had not informed Indonesia's mission there
\nof its intention to search houses belonging to Indonesians.<\/p>\n
\"They are obliged to inform us about the raids but until now
\nthey have not told us officially,\" Marty said during a weekly
\npress briefing.<\/p>\n
Marty said at least six Indonesian citizens and one
\nIndonesian-born Australian had been subjected to the raids.<\/p>\n
He also said that another six Indonesians had been arrested
\nfor immigration violations.<\/p>\n
\"During the meeting, the Australian gave us assurances the
\nraids were not targeting Indonesians or Muslims, and that they
\n(the raids) were not conducted nationwide,\" Marty said.<\/p>\n
In the wake of the Oct. 12 Bali bombing, which killed almost
\n190 people, mostly Australian holiday makers, Canberra has
\nembarked on a nationwide crackdown against shadowy terrorist
\nnetwork Jamaah Islamiyah.<\/p>\n
Civil libertarians in Australia slammed the raids as publicity
\nstunts to prove Australia was tough on terrorism.<\/p>\n
But on Friday, Prime Minister Howard defended the raids,
\nsaying they were conducted to prevent possible attacks on
\nAustralian interests, were in line with international law and
\nwould continue.<\/p>\n
\"There were reasons for those raids and I defend 100 percent
\nwhat ASIO has done. I find it amazing that people could seriously
\nquestion the national need for this to happen,\" Howard was quoted
\nby AFP as saying.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Thursday, Hassan said Indonesia respected
\nAustralia's right to conduct such investigations, but questioned
\nthe force used to do so.<\/p>\n
Marty said the raids should not jeopardize the slowly
\nimproving relationship of the two countries, especially in
\nhandling the Bali bomb explosions.<\/p>\n
\"We have a great cooperation in the investigation of the Bali
\ncase and the improving relations should not be jeopardized by the
\nreckless action of Australian security,\" Marty said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/australian-envoy-summoned-over-antiterrorism-raids-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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