INDONESIA: Ministers from Indonesia, Australia and other Asia Pacific countries gather at a democracy forum in Bali, with discussions on the recent spying allegations set to be on the agenda

Record ID: 644477

  • Title: INDONESIA: Ministers from Indonesia, Australia and other Asia Pacific countries gather at a democracy forum in Bali, with discussions on the recent spying allegations set to be on the agenda
  • Date: 7th November 2013
  • Summary: CAMERAMEN FILMING PERFORMERS DANCING
  • Embargoed: 22nd November 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Indonesia
  • Country: Indonesia
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA984GPNM9F8BXR9ZOQ3AAN3QD8
  • Story Text: The annual Bali Democracy Forum kicked off on Thursday (November 7) at the Indonesian resort island with ministers from the Asia Pacific in attendance.
    Australian Foreign Minister Julia Bishop, on her third visit to Indonesia since September was present amid tensions with Indonesia over spying allegations.
    Media reports said the Australian embassy in Jakarta was used to snoop on Southeast Asia's biggest country as part of a U.S.-led global spying network.
    News of Australia's role in a U.S.-led surveillance network could damage relations with Indonesia, Australia's nearest Asian neighbor and an important strategic ally.
    The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported Australian embassies across Asia were part of the U.S. espionage operation.
    In his opening speech, Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called for working towards democracy and human rights.

    "We aspire for a community that includes the promotion of democracy, human rights and good governance as one of each common objectives and goals. Of course, this has been and will continue to be, a gradual process," he said.
    The Democracy Forum has in recent years attracted ministers from not only the Asia Pacific region, but also those from observer countries in Africa, Europe and the Americas.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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