Indonesia takes aim at Abbott plan

Date
    July 6, 2013






Indonesia's President has delivered a sharp diplomatic rebuke to Tony Abbott's signature ''turn back the boats'' policy, signing a communique warning against ''unilateral'' actions that could lead to ''operational and other difficulties'' between nations.      

The communique, signed by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd after a meeting yesterday, reinforces both countries' emphasis on regional solutions to the people smuggling problem.

''They stressed the importance of avoiding unilateral actions which might jeopardise such a comprehensive regional approach and which might cause operational or other difficulties to any party,'' the statement said.


Indonesian officials agreed the phrase did, at least in part, target Mr Abbott's policy, which has caused widespread consternation in Jakarta because it means Indonesia has to look after any returned asylum seekers and it could threaten their sovereignty.      


Mr Yudhoyono later stressed that the asylum seeker issue was not just a problem for Australia. ''Indonesia also receives thousands of boat people … we have to manage this inflow and at the same time, if we are the only ones solving this issue, it will not be fair,'' he said.

The comments came as an Australian navy ship, HMAS Larrakia, responded to a distress call from an asylum seeker boat with an estimated 80 people on board, 42 nautical miles off the coast of Java.

Mr Yudhoyono's comments are the strongest yet from the Indonesian President and appear to be aimed at Mr Abbott, who has claimed his prime ministership would focus on Jakarta, not Geneva, and that his relationship with the Indonesians meant they would accept his policy to tow boats back to Indonesia ''when it is safe to do so''.

But Indonesians at many levels, including its ambassador to Australia and Deputy President Boediono, have already made it clear that they dislike Mr Abbott's approach because it seeks to push the problem back to them.    

Mr Yudhoyono proposed a conference of ''all parties'' in the region, which he said must be jointly responsible for the increasing flow of refugees and the power of people smugglers.

The conference, which Mr Rudd endorsed, should be held by the end of this month and would involve countries such as Afghanistan, Iran and Myanmar, from where the refugees come, the countries they pass through, such as Indonesia, and Australia, their destination.

In his first press conference as Prime Minister last week, Mr Rudd received fierce criticism from the opposition when he said Mr Abbott's policy risked ''conflict'' with Indonesia.

''So what happens on day one when Field Marshal Tony puts out the order to the captain of the Australian naval frigate X to turn back a bunch of boats?'' Mr Rudd said. ''And you've got a naval frigate from the Indonesian navy on the other side of the equation?''      

Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison said in a statement: "We believe strong domestic border policies support the broader regional border security agenda being advocated by Indonesia. That is what the Coalition's policies on our borders are all about."

Mr Yudhoyono also seemed to give some concession to Australian concerns about quotas for beef imports, which have cruelled the northern Australian cattle industry.

Without saying anything concrete on quotas or his country's policy of beef self-sufficiency, he acknowledged that, with his country's ''consuming class'' growing, the demand for beef would rise beyond the capacity of the local industry. He opened the door to higher imports from Australia, saying there was ''a need for greater co-operation in the field of trade with beef in Australia''.

But they agreed Australia should do more to develop the Indonesian industry. Mr Rudd announced a $60 million funding package over 10 years to establish an Indonesia-Australia red meat and cattle forum.

Earlier, Mr Rudd said he was optimistic about a future in which Australia provided expertise to a larger Indonesian beef industry, but before that could happen, quotas had to be eased.

Mr Yudhoyono also emphasised that the contentious territory of West Papua was a sovereign part of Indonesia's territory, despite the ''propaganda being spread in many countries of separatism''. Indonesians are often suspicious that Australian wants to split West Papua. Mr Rudd said Australia recognised that West Papua was part of Indonesia.


Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/indonesia-takes-aim-at-abbott-plan-20130705-2phhb.html#ixzz2YD5nlAoi

What will phoney Tony do now Indonesia has said they will not accept his turn back the boats? He can no longer shout turn back the boats, the Indonesians have effectively buggered the little women basher over. Unless of course like Red, Phoney Tony wants to declare war on Indonesia.

There only ever was one problem and that problem was Rudd ...

Never mind what the Indonesian s say now

Perhaps after a quiet chat about aid $ they may change tunes

The left believe that Indonesia and the people smugglers should formulate our border protection policy.

Innocent bystander wrote on Jul 6^th, 2013 at 4:39pm:



The Right, they think they know everything yet as revealed by I.B are drowning in ignorance.

The Left see people as people and so they deserve respect and humane treatment. This is the driver behind Greens' position on immigrants.

Innocent bystander wrote on Jul 6^th, 2013 at 4:39pm:



Well, the Australian Right certainly shouldn't.

Ever.

It's due to them and their xenophobia under Howard that we
even have a supposed (but not actual) 'problem'.

Which will be exacerbated, of course, by the filth currently
occupying the Opposition benches, given half a chance.

If from a few hundred to over 40000 you don't recognise a problem then you have some serious issues that would also pose a problem for you in real life.