"BIN has communicated directly with the Australian intelligence and during the communication with us they said it was important that no wiretapping would ever happen again now or in the future," Chief of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), MarcianoJakarta (ANTARA News) - Australia has assured Indonesia that no wiretapping will be conducted ever again on Indonesian officials, the Chief of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), Marciano Norman, said on Wednesday.
"BIN has communicated directly with the Australian intelligence and during the communication with us they said it was important that no wiretapping would ever happen again now or in the future. That is their stand. They assured us there will be no more wiretapping," he revealed at the presidential office.
Marciano further stated that based on the information he had received, data showed that violations had been committed in connection with telephone bugging activities involving President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and other officials from 2007 to 2009.
"I think no party would ever declare them, but based on the information we have received, violations did occur during that period," he added.
He explained that as per intelligence cooperation carried out between the two countries, wiretapping was allowed only on people who were considered capable of disrupting the security and stability of the two countries and that such activities must be coordinated with the intelligence agency of the country concerned.
However, wiretapping of any other persons is considered a violation, Marciano stated.
"Both countries have agents stationed in each others countries and they are official representatives from our intelligence agencies, who coordinate with us in case information is needed," he said.
"If they act beyond their authority, it will be considered a violation and we must tell them we cannot accept it," he said.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has held a meeting with the Indonesian ambassador to Australia, Najib Riphat Kesoema, to hear latest reports about the incident.
The meeting was also attended by several cabinet members, including Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Djoko Susilo, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam and Marciano Norman.
As had been reported earlier, ambassador Najib was recalled as a mark of protest against Australias wiretapping activities in Indonesia.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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