Australia’s Defence Minister Robert Hill is in Jakarta where there is an uproar over Australian Premier John Howard’s plan to create a maritime surveillance zone to screen ships. Senator Hill was quick to explain that Australia will abide by international law in its latest effort to prevent terrorism. Australia’s latest strategy against terror follows the death of 88 of its citizens in the Bali bombings of 2002. It is a visit aimed at boosting defence ties but Australia and Indonesia are again at odds over security. This time, the Indonesians are unhappy with Australia’s proposed maritime buffer zone, which the Indonesian Government says breaches the country’s territorial sovereignty. Senator Hill said: “There is no attempt to claim or extend jurisdiction. What we are seeking to do is be able to identify ships that are going to visit Australia and ports earlier, and also identify ships that intend to transit through Australia’s waters earlier.”Full Story
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