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Spying on Indonesian President and wife
- Thread starter Azza
- Start date
tigerman said:
This is the absurdity of the situation. A tiny number of asylum seekers flow from Indonesia to Australia each year, but because of the histrionics of domestic politics in Australia this becomes a major election issue - and means both sides of Australian politics make ridiculous statements about buying boats, turning boats back at gunpoint, etc etc all of which rely on Indonesian cooperation or infringe on Indonesian sovereignty.
This is a country that we have a massive trade surplus with (and trade with Indonesia is worth about $14 billion a year), is our 12th biggest trading partner, our third biggest agricultural export market, is our nearest neighbour, controls the seas which all of our trade shipping must pass through, has a domestic economy in which Australian firms have (and want) an increasing presence, has a growing middle class of about 45 million people, is a fledging democracy which could look to Australia as a political model, and will only become more important as a massive regional economy and regional military power.
But yeah, let's chuck that potential and strategy in the bin because of domestic political posturing and a stubborn refusal to apologise for tapping the President's phone. Makes real good sense to me.
rosy23 said:
bahahah sounds like I got off lightly, although you did experience some good hospitality by the sounds of it... Should I ask what your "offence" was?
I was in Jakarta late one night in a taxi with a local girl. The police set up roadblocks at night occasionally - ostensibly to "check IDs" but really to extort money from locals. We both had ID, I had my passport, but they made a big fuss over taking me into custody - it was all bluff and $10 bribe saw us on way. Funny story, but think of the poor local citizens to whom $10 is two days salary and get this sort of harassment regularly.
antman said:
We were just sitting waiting for a bus when a heap of Indonesians, including little kids in uniform with machine guns, surrounded us. Just out of curiosity I think. Westerners weren't all that common back then. The police showed up and accused us of causing a disturbance and made us get in the car. I reckon the cop just hoped to get some cheap thrills. It was hard to take him seriously when the cop car, which looked more like a matchbox toy, was plastered with pictures of Charles Bronson. The cop delivered us to the bus first thing next morning, proudly flashing his pearly whites to all and sundry, and made a big show of pushing us in the bus when it arrived. Good riddance to dirty, smelly Jakarta. The boat trip to the top of Java was another experience...it helps me appreciate what hardship and suffering the asylum seekers must experience. Our trip was a terrible few days, though an experience I appreciate having had, but would no doubt seem like absolute luxury compared to the smuggler boats.
I hope Rudd butts out of it. We've been sprung and we have to deal with it in a way that allows Indonesia to save face really. I'm not sure addressing their contact in Parliament rather than personally was the way to go. Quite disrespectful. We're better off with Indonesia as allies rather than enemies. One of Abbott's main election promises, to send boats back, pay off people, buy the boats etc; is falling apart at the seams. I hope this is resolved very soon to prevent further suffering for the people whose lives are at risk.
Here you go Tony, you got what you asked for I guess.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/indonesia-halts-all-military-cooperation-20131120-2xw20.html
The Liberals are really on top of this international diplomacy thing aren't they?
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/abusive-tweets-from-top-liberal-party-pollster-20131120-2xvwb.html
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/indonesia-halts-all-military-cooperation-20131120-2xw20.html
The Liberals are really on top of this international diplomacy thing aren't they?
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/abusive-tweets-from-top-liberal-party-pollster-20131120-2xvwb.html
Fair dinkum :
Liberal strategist Mark Textor under fire for comparing Indonesian foreign minister to porn star
By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths
....
Liberal Party campaign strategist Mark Textor is under fire for statements he made yesterday on Twitter, criticising Indonesia's response to the phone tapping revelations.
In one of a series of comments - that have since been deleted - Mr Textor said: "Apology demanded from Australia by a bloke who looks like a 1970's Pilipino [sic] porn star and has ethics to match".
He appeared to be referring to Indonesian foreign minister Marty Natalegawa, though that was not confirmed by Mr Textor.
The Liberal pollster also said that no Indonesian had been bombed in Australia, a comment that was accompanied by photos of the Bali bombers.
His comments, which come as the damaging standoff over the allegations drags on, made the front page of Indonesian news website Kompass.
Mr Textor, who touts himself as being in the Prime Minister's inner circle and whose market research firm CrosbyTextor has been associated with the Liberal Party for many years, declined to comment to the ABC this morning.
Liberal strategist Mark Textor under fire for comparing Indonesian foreign minister to porn star
By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths
....
Liberal Party campaign strategist Mark Textor is under fire for statements he made yesterday on Twitter, criticising Indonesia's response to the phone tapping revelations.
In one of a series of comments - that have since been deleted - Mr Textor said: "Apology demanded from Australia by a bloke who looks like a 1970's Pilipino [sic] porn star and has ethics to match".
He appeared to be referring to Indonesian foreign minister Marty Natalegawa, though that was not confirmed by Mr Textor.
The Liberal pollster also said that no Indonesian had been bombed in Australia, a comment that was accompanied by photos of the Bali bombers.
His comments, which come as the damaging standoff over the allegations drags on, made the front page of Indonesian news website Kompass.
Mr Textor, who touts himself as being in the Prime Minister's inner circle and whose market research firm CrosbyTextor has been associated with the Liberal Party for many years, declined to comment to the ABC this morning.
tigertim said:
The wire tapping was between 2007 and 2009. Since Rudd got in in December 2007 and I find it highly unlikely the first thing he did was starting to tap SBY's phone, I think we'd find that this was instigated under Howard and continued under Rudd.
Azza said:
It started on the 10th December 2007.
(It was my mum's birthday, so I remember the date well)
