In 2013, Australia and Indonesia's diplomatic ties were strained. Particularly using the cellphones of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and other Indonesian officials, Australia conducted espionage against Indonesia. The wiretapping by Australia is to spy on conversations conducted by Indonesian officials with the aim of obtaining important information that is useful for Australia's political interests. An anonymous source revealed that Australia's interest in tapping Indonesia was to win a UN Security Council seat, Australian PM Kevin Rudd was also said to be very eager to obtain intelligence information from Asia Pacific leaders including President SBY, Indian PM Manmoham Singh and former Chinese President Hu Jintao. In response to the news of the wiretapping of Indonesia, Prime Minister Tony Abbott held a press conference in Australia but instead of answering questions from the Indonesian government about whether or not the wiretapping had taken place and the demand for an apology, he stated that Australia did not need to apologize for what had happened because wiretapping cases are common in the international world and it is about the need to protect Australia's national interests.
KEMBALI KE ARTIKEL
