Lawmakers Summon Foreign Ministers over Spying Row with Australia

By Amie Fenia Arimbi Jakarta (Antara) - Lawmakers from Commission I handling defense and foreign affairs summoned Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa on Thursday to explain the current status of the spying row between Indonesia and Australia. The closed-door meeting was also attended by Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro and Communication and Informatics Minister Tifatul Sembiring. Tensions between Indonesia and Australia have flared during the past few weeks after it was found that Australia had tapped the private cell phones of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and several Indonesian ministers back in 2009. Responding to the allegations, Indonesia had recalled its Ambassador for Australia Nadjib Riphat Kesoema and has temporarily stopped military and intelligence cooperation with Australia. Indonesia has also halted any collaboration in the handling of illegal immigrants heading for Australia, which is a big political issue for the latter. President Yudhoyono had sent a formal letter to Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbot demanding a public explanation for the spying allegations. Prime Minister Abbot had replied to the letter, but its contents are yet to be disclosed. (*) Edited by Ine.