Bali 9, boat people, thorny issues for SBY-Rudd talks

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (left) will meet Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd next month to talk on wide bilateral relations, including thorny issues, such as Australians on death row and stranded boat people.

However Jakarta and Canberra both say their relations are fine.

"Indonesia and Australia have been experiencing intensive convergence in terms of their national interests, which now also include climate change and terrorism issues, and their participation in global economic reform as mutual members of the G20..." Dino told a press conference at the Presidential Office.

However, news reports also indicate that Australian diplomats in Jakarta have told Indonesian officials that the possible execution of three Australians, members of the Bali Nine group, for drug smuggling in Denpasar, would be very sensitive for Australia's government in an election year.

Australian acting Foreign Minister Simon Crean denied any link between discussing the possible executions and the upcoming election.

Rudd has promised to raise the issue with Yudhoyono when Indonesian court processes are concluded and if the death penalties still stand.

Observers have said that any approach for clemency would be a sensitive issue for both countries, with some Indonesian lawmakers and local media likely to see any such approach as interference in RI affairs.

Source: The Jakarta Post, Feb. 28, 2010

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