Indonesia summons Australian ambassador to Jakarta Greg Moriarty over spying reports

Updated

Indonesia has summoned Australian ambassador Greg Moriarty to answer allegations Australia used its Jakarta embassy as a spy base.

The Indonesian foreign ministry has issued a statement demanding clarification of media reports that Australia used the embassy to collect intelligence on Indonesia, a country of growing regional and economic importance.

The Fairfax media reports, quoting an unnamed former intelligence officer, allege Australia used the embassy to spy on terrorists and people smugglers.

However, the main focus of the alleged intelligence operations was said to be "political, diplomatic and economic intelligence" gathering.

Key points Reports Australia used Jakarta embassy to spy on Indonesia

Main focus said to be "political, diplomatic and economic intelligence" gathering

Australia's ambassador Greg Moriarty summoned to explain

Indonesia says it would be "serious breach of security" and unacceptable

Australia is reported to have run spy operations across South-East Asia from the embassy as well as the Australian consulate in Bali.

"The conduct as reported was not at all reflecting the spirit of friendly relations," a statement from the Indonesian foreign ministry said.

It said surveillance would be "considered a serious breach of security which cannot be accepted".

The Department of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement saying it is the prerogative of host governments to call in diplomatic representatives for discussions.

The statement says Australia and Indonesia share a wide range of economic, political and security interests and are close partners in the region.

Indonesia would be very concerned Australia was directly spying on Indonesian politicians in the same way the US has been accused of spying on other leaders around the world. So I don't imagine it's going to be a very comfortable conversation at the foreign affairs ministry today. Indonesia does seem to be annoyed about these reports. Audio: george roberts teaser (AM)

Indonesia correspondent George Roberts speaks with AM

Indonesia threatens to 'lodge a strong protest'

Indonesian foreign minister Marty Natalegawa is in Perth today for a conference which will also be attended by his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop.

Because Dr Natalegawa is in Perth, it is understood Mr Moriarty will be asked to explain the media reports and Australia's surveillance operations to a senior Indonesian foreign affairs official.

The Indonesian government had already summoned the US ambassador this week to give a similar explanation of its spy operations in the country.

The initial statement from Indonesia about Australia's surveillance operations included a threat of sorts that "if confirmed, Indonesia will lodge a strong protest on the conduct as mentioned".

That line was later removed from a "corrected" version of the statement.

But the language in the rest of the statement and the very public manner of the announcement strongly suggests the reports have angered Indonesia.

The foreign ministry sent the statement out to local journalists, but made a particular point to send it to those from foreign media organisations.

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says he'll seek an explanation on the issue from the Australian government.

"I think those who are tapping into conversations should not be encouraged. We must be trusting to one another," Mr O'Neill said.

"We live in a neighbourhood that should respect each other’s privacy and, of course, communications between our own people."

Mr O'Neill says if the Australian government or PNG's other allies want to listen to his phone calls "all they have to do is ask".

Indonesia just going through the motions: academic

Academic Greg Barton says Mr Natalegawa would not be surprised by the reports "but he has to go through the motions and call the ambassador in".

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Greg Barton speaks with News 24 (ABC News)

Professor Barton, who specialises in Indonesia studies at Monash University, says he thinks Indonesia is acting purely for a domestic audience.

"It's certain given what we know about the way that embassies and consulates work and the way that international intelligence works, nothing that's been revealed is surprising or unexpected," he said.

"I don't think the Indonesian foreign minister would be surprised by the move, but he has to go through the motions and call the ambassador in, and the ambassador has to be seen to be going in and explaining things. That's the way this works."

Professor Barton says the Indonesian government needs to placate the general public and members of the legislature who may be surprised by the reports.

"Anyone who has spent any time in diplomacy, any foreign minister understands full well the way the world works and that's the way it has to be," Professor Barton said.

"Everyone keeps an an eye on everyone, even friends keep an eye on each other.

"Embassies always have an intelligence component, whether it's secret or open - that's part of what embassies do."

Topics: world-politics, government-and-politics, security-intelligence, defence-and-national-security, australia, indonesia

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