Marty Blasts Criticism That Indonesia Too Soft On Wiretapping

Nusa Dua, Bali, Nov 8 (Antara) - Foreign minister Marty Natalegawa has blasted critics who accused Indonesia of being "soft" in its reaction to alleged wiretapping by the US and Australia. "Nothing was weak in a statement of rejection. Nothing was weak in a statement of strong protest. We have said we would review our exchange of information with the two countries," he said at a press conference, after closing the 6th Bali Democracy Forum here on Friday. He noted that the term "review" was full of meanings and significance in a diplomatic manner. To review means conducting a continuing process until a solution is found, he said. Mutual trust with the two countries must be restored and improved, he added. "The ball is in the hands of the countries that have committed it, not in Indonesia," he said. Marty, who earlier received his Australian counterpart, Julie Bishop, said that Indonesia's actions with Australia have always been based upon concerns to maintain the traditional good relations between the two countries. Indonesia has also asked for clarification from the US government with regard to its wiretapping facilities in its embassy in Jakarta. Marty said if the facilities were confirmed, they did not only seriously violate security, but also diplomatic norms and ethics. News stories about wiretapping allegedly conducted by the US and Australia on Indonesia were reported in Australia`s Sydney Morning Herald on October 31.