Distinction in travel journalism
Is independent travel journalism important to you?
Click here to keep it independent

29 Nov, 2013

Jakarta extends bans on co-operation with Oz

Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s hopes for a quick resumption of co-operation with Indonesia appear dashed after Jakarta outlined a road map to restoring relations that could take up to a year to implement.

And Indonesian foreign minister Marty Natalegawa has again highlighted that the lack of the word “sorry” in Mr Abbott’s letter last week to the president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono may still be a stumbling block.

Mr Abbott said on Thursday he wanted the two nations to restore normal co-operation ‘‘as quickly as possible’’, but that now looks overly optimistic.

Indonesia is insisting on a complex, six-step process to develop a “code of ethics” to govern the two countries’ relationship, before it resumes bilateral action on people smuggling and terrorism and re-engages on joint military exercises.

Read the rest: Jakarta extends bans on co-operation.