Indonesia Demands Code of Ethics for Australia Relations

Jakarta (Antara) - Indonesia has demanded a protocol and a code of ethics for future cooperation with Australia following recent revelations of Australian spying in the country. "To me, this must be a prerequisite and, at the same time, a stepping stone for bilateral relations. I have already proposed it to the Australian Prime Minister and he has agreed," President Yudhoyono said after a meeting at his office here on Tuesday evening. President Yudhoyono added that he would assign Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa or a special envoy to discuss in detail highly sensitive issues in bilateral relations between Indonesia and Australia following the spying allegations. "After mutual agreement and understanding is reached, I hope there will be comprehensive and thorough discussions on establishing a protocol and a code of ethics," he noted. He said he would monitor the formulation of the protocol and code of ethics himself to ensure they met Indonesia's expectations before they are signed by the respective governments. "I would like them to be signed by government leaders in the presence of both heads of state (Australian Prime Minister and Indonesian President)," he added. (*)