"President Yudhoyono has received the letter and is studying the content," presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has received a letter from Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott responding to spying allegations conducted by Australia in 2009.
Abbotts letter is a response to an official letter from President Yudhoyono earlier demanding an explanation about the spying allegations.
"President Yudhoyono has received the letter and is studying the content," presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said here on Saturday.
Ties between Indonesia and Australia were strained after a report by The Guardian daily on Monday, Nov 18, revealed that the Australian government had wiretapped the private phones in 2009 of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and several ministers and government officials.
The report was based on documents leaked by former employee of the United States National Security Agency (NSA) Edward Snowden, who has been granted asylum in Russia.
In response to the allegations, the Indonesian government recalled its ambassador to Australia, Nadjib Riphat Kesoema, for consultations.
President Yudhoyono also ordered the suspension of several joint programs with Australia following the spying allegations.
The joint programs that have been suspended include the exchange of intelligence information, joint military exercises and military operations to curb human trafficking.
The President added that he would also review other areas of cooperation with Australia.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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