RI and Myanmar deny allegation of wiretapping

RI and Myanmar deny allegation of wiretapping

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintained that there
were indications the Indonesian Embassy in Myanmar had been
bugged, the embassies of both countries denied the charge.

Indonesian foreign affairs ministry spokesman Yuri Thamrin
said on Monday a security team assigned to check the Indonesian
Embassy in Yangon found the electronic frequency of phone lines
in the ambassador and security attache's rooms was lower than
normal.

"There is a strong indication (of bugging) but we have to look
into this further. If proven it is regrettable and we will lodge
a protest," Yuri told Agence France-Presse on Monday.

The ministry plans to summon Myanmar's ambassador to Jakarta
to clarify the report, Yuri said.

Legislator Djoko Susilo said in a statement on Sunday that a
joint investigative team, including the National Intelligence
Agency, found in June bugging devices in the embassy in Yangon,
apparently installed by the military junta there to tape
conversations about opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

However, Indonesian Ambassador to Myanmar Wyoso Prodijowarsito
denied the embassy had been bugged.

"I believe Myanmar's government would not do such a thing as
Myanmar and Indonesia enjoy a very close relationship," the
ambassador said.

Myanmar's Embassy in Jakarta, in a statement made available to
The Jakarta Post, quoted that country's deputy minister for
foreign affairs, U Khin Maung Win, as saying Myanmar and
Indonesia were close friend and there would be no reason to bug
the embassy.

The deputy minister made the statement after a meeting with
Ambassador Wyoso in Yangon.

"Myanmar does not engage in such activities against any
embassy in the country ... the allegations were made to discredit
Myanmar in the international community," the deputy minister
said.

Djoko previously accused Australia of bugging the Indonesian
Embassy in Canberra. Both countries dismissed the allegation.