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.