House Appreciates President's Firm Decision Over Spying Issue

Jakarta, Nov 21 (Antara) - The House of Representatives (DPR) has appreciated President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s stern decision to recall the Indonesian ambassador to Australia over the recent wire-tapping allegations. "The leadership of the DPR appreciates the firm decision," DPR Deputy House Speaker Priyo Budi Santoso said on Thursday. Priyo further stated that President Yudhoyono had ordered the Foreign Affairs Minister to recall the Indonesian ambassador and instructed the Military Commander and the Intelligence Agency`s Chief to gather information on the wire-tapping carried out by Australia on Indonesian state officials. "We appreciate the President`s decision as reflecting the firm position of the Indonesian government," Priyo said. He added that the President`s step had sent out a good signal to the government. The Deputy House Speaker said that had the President not taken such a decision, the House leadership would have said the President was not firm. "But it turned out that the head of state took a stern decision, and we appreciate it," he added. Priyo said the behavior of Australia in terms of eavesdropping on Indonesian officials did not reflect its good intentions as a friendly country. Australia`s behavior had disappointed and angered the Indonesian people, the House Deputy Speaker noted. The Indonesian government had recalled its ambassador to Australia as a strong protest over the illegal wire-tapping conducted by Australian surveillance agencies that had targeted President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the First Lady. On Wednesday, President Yudhoyono held a meeting with the Indonesian ambassador to Australia, Najib Riphat Kesoema, to hear latest reports about the incident. Following the meeting, the President had ordered the suspension of several cooperation programs with Australia. "I want them to be suspended until everything is clarified. We are unlikely to continue with the programs if we are not certain there has been no wire-tapping," President Yudhoyono said. The cooperation programs that have been suspended include the exchange of intelligence information, joint military exercises and military operations to curb human smuggling, he said. The President said he would also review other areas of cooperation with Australia. In future, there must be a code of conduct and guiding principles to establish cooperation with Australia, he added. Documents released by whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed that in 2009 Australia`s Defense Signals Directorate wire-tapped the personal mobile phones of both Yudhoyono and his wife, Kristiani Herawati, as well as eight others in the President`s inner circle, including Vice President Boediono. As per a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia`s Greens Senator Scott Ludlam stated that such surveillance should only be reserved for terrorism suspects. "Are we seriously meant to accept that the President of Indonesia, his wife, his leadership team are a national security threat to Australia? Because if they`re not, then why are their phones being hacked?" he asked.