Difficult to Prove Australia Wiretapping: Defense Minister

Jakarta, Nov 8 (Antara) - Indonesia will find it difficult to prove that Australia allegedly carried out wiretapping in the country, defense minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said. "Proof could be gathered from two sources, namely domestic intelligence and a confession by the wiretapper," he said after receiving Australian defense minister David Johnston at his office here on Friday. David Johnston has not yet responded to Indonesia's questions over the issue. "The issue is a macro-problem and the affairs of Australia's foreign minister," Purnomo said, quoting Johnston's reply. He added, according to the Australian defense minister, that the issue had been discussed at a higher level by the two countries' foreign ministers. Purnomo said, however, that Australia had expressed its commitment to preserve the two countries' good relations. "Before taking steps, we will wait for the results of the diplomatic meeting between Indonesian and Australian foreign ministers in Bali so that we will speak with one voice," he said. Purnomo explained that the meeting with Johnston was aimed at discussing defense cooperation. He said Indonesia has the highest priority with Australia in defense cooperation. Purnomo, meanwhile, said he had confirmed with the National Crypto Agency (Lemsaneg) that his ministry's communication network is secure. "Lemsaneg has tightly encrypted the important communication network in the ministry of defense. The ministry's communication system is opaque in nature and does not use a communication provider's network," he said. (*)