Australian Prime Minister refuses to apologize over spying

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott refused to apologies to Indonesia for alleged phone surveillance by bCanberra’s intelligence services on Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono phone in 2009.

Abbott said “every government gathers information,” adding, “Australia should not be expected to apologize for the steps we take to protect our country now or in the past, any more than other governments should be expected to apologize for the similar steps that they have taken.”

“Importantly, in Australia’s case, we use all our resources, including information, to help our friends and allies, not to harm them,” he added.

Abbott, however, on Tuesday said he regrets for causing any embarrassment to Indonesian President Yudhoyono over phone-tapping.

“Australia has deep respect for Indonesia, for its government and for its people. I regard President Yudhoyono as a good friend of Australia, indeed as one of the very best friends that we have anywhere in the world. That’s why, I sincerely regret any embarrassment recent media reports have caused him,” Abbott said.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, meanwhile, angry with the news Yudhoyono’s calls for a 15-day period in 2009 were monitored by Canberra’s intelligence services. The documents provided by  former US National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden showed the time, duration and telephone numbers of calls made by the president, his closest colleagues and his wife, Kristiani Herawati Yudhoyono.

“We will review a number of bilateral cooperation agendas as a result of Australia’s hurtful action,” Yudhoyono tweeted to his 4 million followers.

“I also deplore the statement of the Australian PM which made light of spying on Indonesia and showed a lack of remorse,” he wrote.

“The acts by the US and Australia are very damaging to their strategic partnerships with Indonesia, a fellow democratic country,” he added.

Indonesia also announced withdrawal of the ambassador from Canberra.

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