indonesian response to deteriorating situation, page-140

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison uses border briefing to praise Indonesian cooperation
By Anna Henderson
Posted 4 minutes ago

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MAP: Australia
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has used his weekly briefing on border protection to single out Indonesia for praise on its cooperative efforts to combat people smuggling.

His comments come after Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono this week suspended cooperation on people smuggling work in response to revelations that Australia had spied on the president and his wife.

"Our partners, in particular Indonesia, have demonstrated over many years their commitment to tackling people smuggling through their leadership such as in the Bali Process," Mr Morrison told reporters in Sydney.

"We continue to commend them on their efforts and restate our commitment to support those efforts in pursuit of our shared interests."

Mr Morrison says there are serious issues for both nations to work through and further comment from him "would not assist" the national interest.

He says "relationship issues" with Indonesia are being addressed by Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Mr Morrison says "momentum" is building in the Government's border protection policy and this month just four boats carrying less than 200 asylum seekers have been intercepted.

"November is traditionally a high-volume month for illegal boat arrivals to Australia, particularly as the monsoon season approaches," he said.

He says last November there were more than 2,000 asylum seekers intercepted trying to reach Australia.

The Immigration Minister also stressed the cooperative efforts are not isolated to just one country.

"The positive progress of Operation Sovereign Borders is due to no single measure, or any single relationship or partner. They are all important."

During the briefing the Commander of Operation Sovereign Borders, Angus Campbell, was asked to comment on how the souring relationship with Indonesia would set back people smuggling efforts.

"I really think this is a matter, at the moment, for government and indeed leader to leader engagement," Lieutenant General Campbell said.

"It's not something that a military officer should comment on and certainly I have no interest in muddying the waters at this stage."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-22/morrison-praises-indonesia-in-border-briefing/5110764