This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/06/tony-abbott-speaks-to-indonesian-president-over-boat-turnback-reports

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tony Abbott speaks to Indonesian president over boat turnback reports Tony Abbott speaks to Indonesian president over boat turnback reports
(about 14 hours later)
Tony Abbott has telephoned his Indonesian counterpart, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, as diplomatic tensions sparked by Australia’s policy of asylum boat turnbacks continue to escalate. Tony Abbott has telephoned the Indonesian president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, as diplomatic tensions sparked by Australia’s policy of asylum boat turnbacks continue to escalate.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Indonesian foreign minister, Marty Natalegawa, objected strenuously to a recent decision by Australia to turn back asylum seekers intercepted on two separate boats, and the apparent addition of extra passengers. Indonesia’s foreign minister, Marty Natalegawa, objected strenuously to a decision by Australia to turn back asylum seekers intercepted on two separate boats, and the apparent addition of extra passengers.
Natalegawa described the recent case as a “very serious development”. Natalegawa described the case as a “very serious development”.
“I am informed that apart from the apparently original 18 asylum seekers who were in the original two boats, apparently some additional three individuals were added to the boat that was forced back to Indonesia,” the ABC reported Natalegawa saying at a leader’s summit in Bali on Tuesday.“I am informed that apart from the apparently original 18 asylum seekers who were in the original two boats, apparently some additional three individuals were added to the boat that was forced back to Indonesia,” the ABC reported Natalegawa saying at a leader’s summit in Bali on Tuesday.
“So this is –if confirmed – obviously this is a very serious development. As I said from the beginning, we are risking a slippery slope in the facilitation of Australia's government for these individuals to be forced back to Indonesia.” “So this is – if confirmed – obviously this is a very serious development. As I said from the beginning, we are risking a slippery slope in the facilitation of Australia's government for these individuals to be forced back to Indonesia.”
Abbott was supposed to attend the Bali summit currently in progress but withdrew late last week. He added: "The policy of his government to push, unilaterally forcing asylum seekers – which is threatening and violating their human rights – it's not yielding [success] because such efforts are still being conducted."
The prime minister told the Indonesians he was unable to attend because of budget preparations, but there has been continuing speculation that Abbott’s sudden withdrawal was related to a significant on-water operation that would embarrass Indonesia. The shadow immigration minister, Richard Marles, said on Wednesday Australia needed to maintain and “sustainable and cooperative relationship” with Indonesia.
“If the allegations out there are true … it really does represent a significant development in the tactics being used by the government,” he said.
“What we need to hear is an assurance that the behaviour our government is engaged in is consistent with our international obligations.”
The communications minister, Malcolm Turnbull, described Australia’s border policies as harsh in an interview with the BBC on Tuesday, but said he “wouldn’t go as far to say they’re cruel”, and added that the policies complied with international law.
“I don’t think any of us are entirely comfortable with any policies relating to border protection,” he said.
Abbott was supposed to attend the Bali summit now in progress but withdrew late last week.
The prime minister told the Indonesians he was unable to attend because of budget preparations, but there has been continuing speculation that Abbott’s sudden withdrawal was related to a significant “on-water operation” that would embarrass Indonesia.
The Indonesian navy has confirmed that the asylum seekers referred to by Natalegawa on Tuesday had been forced back to Indonesia on one boat, but they had been picked up from two separate vessels.The Indonesian navy has confirmed that the asylum seekers referred to by Natalegawa on Tuesday had been forced back to Indonesia on one boat, but they had been picked up from two separate vessels.
The boat had been turned back to Indonesia with three additional passengers on board, according to the statement issued by the Indonesian navy.The boat had been turned back to Indonesia with three additional passengers on board, according to the statement issued by the Indonesian navy.
Fairfax Media has reported that the two Nepalese passengers may be asylum seekers who had arrived in a boat in February. Fairfax Media has reported that two Nepalese passengers said to have been put on the boat may be asylum seekers who had arrived on a vessel in February.
The immigration minister, Scott Morrison, said at the time that two asylum seekers had been transported to Christmas Island for medical treatment, but no further information has been revealed since then.The immigration minister, Scott Morrison, said at the time that two asylum seekers had been transported to Christmas Island for medical treatment, but no further information has been revealed since then.
A spokeswoman for Abbott confirmed late on Tuesday that he and Yudhoyono had spoken by telephone during the afternoon. A spokeswoman for Abbott confirmed late on Tuesday that he and Yudhoyono had spoken by phone during the afternoon.
“In a very cordial conversation both leaders agreed on the importance of the bilateral relationship between Australia and Indonesia,” Abbott’s spokeswoman said on Tuesday night. “They committed to continue the progress that has been made to resolve current issues and to strengthen the relationship further.”“In a very cordial conversation both leaders agreed on the importance of the bilateral relationship between Australia and Indonesia,” Abbott’s spokeswoman said on Tuesday night. “They committed to continue the progress that has been made to resolve current issues and to strengthen the relationship further.”