RI concerned over Myanmar bugging<\/p>\n
Adianto P. Simamora, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially summoned Myanmar's
\nAmbassador to Indonesia, U Kyaw Myint, on Tuesday to express the
\ncountry's deep concern over suspected bugging by the Myanmar
\njunta of the Indonesian embassy in Yangon.<\/p>\n
The meeting, chaired by Hamzah Thayeb, director for East Asian
\nand Pacific Affairs at the ministry, came only three days after
\nlegislator Djoko Susilo disclosed the recent finding of an
\ninterdepartmental team that the junta had tapped telephone lines
\nto the embassy.<\/p>\n
\"We have strong indications that our embassy in Yangon has
\nbeen bugged. This was the finding of the team we sent to Yangon,\"
\nthe ministry's spokesman Yuri Thamrin quoted Hamzah as telling
\nthe ambassador.<\/p>\n
The bugging is a diplomatic embarrassment for Indonesia given
\nthat the intelligence services of an impoverished country like
\nMyanmar were able to penetrate the embassy of the largest member
\nof the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).<\/p>\n
Myanmar, meanwhile, continues to put the regional grouping in
\na difficult position as it has to publicly defend Myanmar's
\ntreatment of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, even though the
\ngrouping does not agree with the junta's policies.<\/p>\n
\"We also express our deep concern as Myanmar is a fellow ASEAN
\nmember country ... this could undermine confidence within and
\namong ASEAN nations,\" Yuri said.<\/p>\n
The ministry has set up a joint investigating team, including
\nmembers of the National Intelligence Agency, to periodically
\ncheck all Indonesian embassy facilities and diplomatic missions
\noverseas.<\/p>\n
\"We request that our deepest regrets be conveyed to the
\nMyanmar government so that they can redress the situation and
\navoid similar bugging incidents in the future,\" he said.<\/p>\n
According to Yuri, Ambassador Kwau Myint pledged to bring the
\nmatter up with the Myanmar government as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
\"We will wait for a clarification from Myanmar's government
\nafter our meeting with ambassador Kwau Myint,\" Yuri said.<\/p>\n
The ambassador could not be reached for comment.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-concerned-over-myanmar-bugging-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }