DATE=5/11/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDONESIA / AUSTRALIA / L-O
NUMBER=2-262219
BYLINE=ANNE BARKER
DATELINE=CANBERRA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Australia denies allegations it has flown spy
planes through Indonesian airspace to monitor military
communications. Reports in a British magazine and the
"Australian Financial Review" have accused Australia
of using air force planes to intercept military
intelligence. But, as Anne Barker reports from
Canberra, it appears any spying has been done from
international airspace.
TEXT: The British magazine "Flight International"
reports two Australian Air Force Orion planes were
secretly converted early last year to monitor
Indonesian radio and mobile phone signals. The
report's author, Peter La Franchi, says the spy
missions were launched to monitor events in East Timor
before and after last year's independence ballot. The
magazine says the flights continue.
// LA FRANCHI ACTUALITY //
The particular operation that's now underway, though
at a reduced level, commenced around February last
year. It's still focused on East Timor, though my
sources or some of my sources on this story indicate
to me that the aircraft have flown missions against
military installations and military signals on the
island of Java.
// END ACTUALITY
Australia denies sending spy planes into Indonesian
airspace. Defense Minister John Moore has issued a
statement rejecting the allegations, but will not
elaborate on Australia's surveillance capabilities.
Mr. LaFranchi says the planes have monitored
Indonesian intelligence from international airspace.
// LA FRANCHI ACTUALITY //
With the E-P Three aircraft, it's not necessary to
penetrate Indonesian airspace. They take off from R-
A-A-F Base Tindal. They fly up to the edge of
Indonesian airspace and then they sit out there for
ten-12 hours, at a time, and one aircraft relieves the
other so you can keep up a 24-hour-a-day operation, if
you need to.
// END ACTUALITY //
Mr La Franchi says Australian defense sources have
told him Indonesia has taken counter measures against
the spy flights.
The allegations put a new strain on Australia's
relationship with Indonesia, which has deteriorated
substantially since Australia led a force of
international troops into East Timor last September.
Australia's Prime Minister John Howard has repeated an
invitation to Indonesia's President Abdurrahman Wahid
to visit Australia, in an effort to normalize
relations. But President Wahid has continually
deferred such plans and has yet to announce if he will
visit. (signed).
NEB / AB / WD
11-May-2000 06:47 AM EDT (11-May-2000 1047 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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