Downer plays down Yudhoyono comments

Monday Apr 3 21:04 AEST

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has played down the implications of calls by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for a review of its dealings with Australia.

In a televised national press conference, Yudhoyono on Monday declared that bilateral relations had hit a "difficult phase" and he suggested a review of agreements, such as those on people-smuggling.

He warned that "obscene and destructive" cartoons over Australia's granting of protection visas to 42 Papuan asylum seekers risked sparking the sort of violence whipped up by caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed.

Yudhoyono, who has already recalled his ambassador from Canberra in protest, criticised Australia's decision.

He said both sides needed "serious and intensive diplomatic meetings to review a strategic and comprehensive framework for cooperation and friendship between Indonesia and Australia for now and for the future".

"We should review again the various agreements we have agreed on, for example, cooperation in the field of illegal migration," he said.

Prime Minister John Howard has pressed Indonesia hard in recent years to stop mostly Afghan and Iraqi asylum seekers from using the country as a stepping stone to Australia.

But Yudhoyono said Indonesia would not tolerate support for Papuan separatism in Australia or anywhere else.

Mr Downer on Monday night played down the implications of the Indonesian leader's remarks.

He said cooperation between Australia and Indonesia over people smuggling remained intact.

"We're very supportive of what he has to say about the situation of our bilateral relationship," a spokesman for Mr Downer said.

"We have ongoing cooperation against people-smuggling," he said.

"It's absolutely not in jeopardy."

The spokesman said Yudhoyono's remarks made cooperation between the two nations even more important.

"His remarks today underscore how important it is for us to continue our cooperation."

Taken from Ninemsn News