The Australian government has pledged to send representatives to this region to explain Canberra’s new US$70 million anti-terrorism plan that could see police teams based in Southeast Asia. This was revealed by Australia’s Ambassador to Jakarta, David Ritchie, in an interview with Channel NewsAsia’s Insight team. Australian Prime Minister John Howard has said that while most of the teams will be based at home, reports indicate one group could be based in Indonesia. Ambassador Ritchie said Canberra expects a high degree of security cooperation with Jakarta, regardless who wins Indonesia’s presidency. Australia has worked extremely well with President Megawati Sukarnoputri and her government to combat terrorism. It has also worked extremely well with Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono when he was Co-ordinating Minister for Politics and Security, Mr Ritchie said: “When Mr Downer and Mr Rudder, shadow Foreign Minister, came up after the bombing of the Australian embassy, they met President Megawati and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. We have absolutely no doubt about Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s commitment to fighting terrorism.” Full Story
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