http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/tony-abbott-discusses-indonesia-tensions-secrecy-and-eutha...
September 27, 2013 9:06AM
News
Tony Abbott discusses Indonesia tensions, secrecy and euthanasia in radio interview
TONY Abbott says tensions with Indonesia over the asylum-seeker issue will be simply viewed
as a “passing irritant” in the future.
Ahead of a visit to Indonesia next week Mr Abbott told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell that Australia’s relationship with our northern neighbours was strong and believed it would only improve as his government continued talks with the nation.
“This is a broad and deep relationship which is going to get broader and deeper over time,”
Mr Abbott said.
“The last thing that anyone should want is to have Australia’s relationship with Indonesia defined by this boats issue
which I am sure will be but a passing irritant.”
“I don’t want to buy into an argument with Indonesia officialdom because Australia has a very good relationship with Indonesia,” Mr Abbott said.
“We are already at this very moment cooperating with the Indonesians,” he said.
“We have policies which I am sure are very well understood. It’s in everyone’s interest that we stop the flow of illegal boats. We will working closely with Indonesia stop the flow of illegal boats — that will be good for both of our countries. But we will do it in ways that will fully respect Indonesia’s sovereignty.”
“I am not in the business of being critical of the Indonesian government.
“You will never get from me any gratuitous commentary about Indonesia.”
Indonesia concedes on Abbott demands
Date October 1, 2013
http://www.theage.com.au/national/indonesia-concedes-on-abbott-demands-20130930-2up0r.html#ixzz2kH5P...
The Indonesian President has made a significant concession to Tony Abbott's demands on boat people in talks in Jakarta on Monday, agreeing that Indonesia would need to make direct deals with Australia to try to solve the people smuggling problem.
He also pleased Indonesian sensitivities by taking an unusually tough line on protesters in Australia agitating for independence for the Indonesian territory of Papua. "The government of Australia takes a very dim view
… of anyone seeking to use our country as a platform for grandstanding against Indonesia.
(that would be the australian citizens right to peacefully protest and to free speech that the mad monk is pro_0mising to try and control )
We will do everything that we possibly can to discourage this and prevent this.''
Until now Indonesia's position has been that any potential policies should be dealt with at the multilateral forum, the Bali Process, and many of Mr Abbott's policies - from boat tow-backs to establishing transit ports for asylum seekers on Indonesian soil - have been considered a threat to Indonesian sovereignty.
Mr Abbott also turned the tables on the sovereignty issue, saying, after the talks, in the presence of Dr Yudhoyono: "People smuggling is an issue of sovereignty, especially for Australia."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/tony-abbott-secures-a-refugee-deal/story-fni0ffxg-122673183...
Andrew Bolt Herald Sun October 03, 2013 12:00AM
Tony Abbott secures a refugee deal
Turning back the boats - or, more accurately, the people on them - was once widely described as a "provocative" policy that was an "insult to Indonesia" and one it "rejects".
But now Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa says he's "reassured" it's not a breach of Indonesian sovereignty, and with "co-ordination" the two countries can work out this "technical aspect".
But many journalists seem to have trouble comprehending his achievement. "Surprisingly, the newly elected Abbott was not just sure footed, but flexible," gasped a Fairfax correspondent.
Surprisingly?
Now such journalists are covering their backsides by claiming, no, they weren't wrong to sell you the lie of Abbott being some clumping jock who couldn't tell a fork from a dumbbell.
It's just that he's grown up or "backed down".
He's "softened his rhetoric" or crawled to Yudhoyono.
The Sydney Morning Herald even wondered if Abbott was "paving the way to ditch his controversial boats turn-back policy".
What rubbish. Abbott hasn't backed off at all, as he told journalists demanding to know what he gave up to have Indonesians acting so nice.
"My object here is to stop the boats. And in order to ensure that the boats are stopped I want to have the best possible relationship with Indonesia.
"In the end that's all that really counts: have we stopped the boats?"
It cannot be a mystery why Yudhoyono would consider Abbott a more reliable and discreet partner than the bumbling Gillard or the big-noting Rudd.
No wonder deals on boat people can now be done.
It's easier with a grown-up in charge, even if many journalists can't see him standing right before them.
What does your foot taste like Mr Bolt ???
I will hazard a guess that it tastes just like
...... breakfast..... 7 days a week
TELL ME AND I WILL FORGET, SHOW ME AND I MAY REMEMBER,, INVOLVE ME AND I WILL UNDERSTAND Confucius 450bc
