ABC AUSTRALIA, 27/03/2006 17:01:41
Indonesia's ambassador to Australia flies to Vanuatu
Indonesia's ambassador to Australia, Hamzah Thayeb, has flown to Port Vila to
present his credentials in Vanuatu.
Earlier, the ambassador briefed Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on
Australia's granting of temporary protection visas to 42 people from Papua province.
The Indonesian government recalled Mr Thayeb in protest ! at Australia's move.
It is unclear when he will return to Australia.
Indonesia's embassy in Canberra also covers Vanuatu which has had strained
relations with Indonesia since West Papuan separatists were allowed to open a
representative office there in 2003.
A spokesman for President Yudhoyono says he has given no directives to the
ambassador but has mostly listened to his explanation of events in Canberra.
Protest
Meanwhile, there has been a small demonstration outside the Australian embassy in
Jakarta by members of an Islamic youth movement.
Our correspondent in Jakarta, Peter Cave, says about 20 protesters waved banners
criticising Australia for 10 minutes before Indonesian police moved them on.
Australia gave temporary protection visas to the Papuans last week,! saying they
were granted in line with domestic and international obligations.
The Indonesian foreign ministry says the asylum seekers are "economic migrants"
and denies they have been persecuted in Indonesia.
Indonesia attacks senators
Indonesia has accused members of Australia's minor opposition parties of worsening
relations between Jakarta and Canberra by making false statements about Papua
province.
The allegations concern Greens senator, Bob Brown, and Democrats senator,
Natasha Stott Despoya
Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman, Desra Percaya, says statements by Senator
Stott Despoja, reported in Australian newspapers, that 16 university students had
been killed by Indonesian police in the province of Papua, are totally groundless and
are not helpful to bilateral relations.
! Mr Percaya has also criticised Senator Brown's call for the issue of Papua to be
brought before the United Nations.
The spokesman says instead of making baseless statements the two senators
should provide facts.
© ABC 2006 |
