Australian envoy summoned over antiterrorism raids
Australian envoy summoned over antiterrorism raids
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The government summoned an Australian embassy official on Friday
to express its concerns over the on-going raids against
Indonesian citizens in that country.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Marty Natalegawa said
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda had met with an
Australian embassy representative in Jakarta to reiterate
Indonesia's concerns over searches of homes belonging to its
citizens in Australia.
Marty did not name the representative but a source at the
foreign ministry said Hassan met with deputy ambassador Neil
Mules.
Prime Minister John Howard appointed former Australian
Ambassador to Indonesia Richard Smith as defense secretary in
October and has not appointed a replacement.
Marty said Canberra had not informed Indonesia's mission there
of its intention to search houses belonging to Indonesians.
"They are obliged to inform us about the raids but until now
they have not told us officially," Marty said during a weekly
press briefing.
Marty said at least six Indonesian citizens and one
Indonesian-born Australian had been subjected to the raids.
He also said that another six Indonesians had been arrested
for immigration violations.
"During the meeting, the Australian gave us assurances the
raids were not targeting Indonesians or Muslims, and that they
(the raids) were not conducted nationwide," Marty said.
In the wake of the Oct. 12 Bali bombing, which killed almost
190 people, mostly Australian holiday makers, Canberra has
embarked on a nationwide crackdown against shadowy terrorist
network Jamaah Islamiyah.
Civil libertarians in Australia slammed the raids as publicity
stunts to prove Australia was tough on terrorism.
But on Friday, Prime Minister Howard defended the raids,
saying they were conducted to prevent possible attacks on
Australian interests, were in line with international law and
would continue.
"There were reasons for those raids and I defend 100 percent
what ASIO has done. I find it amazing that people could seriously
question the national need for this to happen," Howard was quoted
by AFP as saying.
Earlier on Thursday, Hassan said Indonesia respected
Australia's right to conduct such investigations, but questioned
the force used to do so.
Marty said the raids should not jeopardize the slowly
improving relationship of the two countries, especially in
handling the Bali bomb explosions.
"We have a great cooperation in the investigation of the Bali
case and the improving relations should not be jeopardized by the
reckless action of Australian security," Marty said.