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| Australia ambassador summoned amid Asia US spying reports | Australia ambassador summoned amid Asia US spying reports |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Indonesia has summoned Australia's ambassador amid reports that Australian embassies have been used as part of a US-led spying network in Asia. | Indonesia has summoned Australia's ambassador amid reports that Australian embassies have been used as part of a US-led spying network in Asia. |
| The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) reported that diplomatic posts in Asia were being used to intercept phone calls and data. | The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) reported that diplomatic posts in Asia were being used to intercept phone calls and data. |
| China has also demanded an explanation from the US over the allegations. | China has also demanded an explanation from the US over the allegations. |
| The reports were based on a US National Security Agency document leaked by whistleblower Edward Snowden. | The reports were based on a US National Security Agency document leaked by whistleblower Edward Snowden. |
| The document, which was originally published by German newspaper Der Spiegel, describes a signals intelligence programme called Stateroom which involves the interception of radio, telecommunications and internet traffic using equipment in US, British, Australian and Canadian diplomatic missions. | The document, which was originally published by German newspaper Der Spiegel, describes a signals intelligence programme called Stateroom which involves the interception of radio, telecommunications and internet traffic using equipment in US, British, Australian and Canadian diplomatic missions. |
| Diplomatic posts involved included those in Jakarta, Bangkok, Hanoi, Beijing and Kuala Lumpur, amongst others, SMH said on Thursday. | Diplomatic posts involved included those in Jakarta, Bangkok, Hanoi, Beijing and Kuala Lumpur, amongst others, SMH said on Thursday. |
| A former Australian intelligence officer, who was not named, told SMH that the Australian embassies in Jakarta and Bali were used to collect signals. | A former Australian intelligence officer, who was not named, told SMH that the Australian embassies in Jakarta and Bali were used to collect signals. |
| In a statement, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said: "[The government] cannot accept and strongly protests the news of the existence of wiretapping facilities at the US embassy in Jakarta." | In a statement, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said: "[The government] cannot accept and strongly protests the news of the existence of wiretapping facilities at the US embassy in Jakarta." |
| "If confirmed, such action is not only a breach of security, but also a serious breach of diplomatic norms and ethics." | "If confirmed, such action is not only a breach of security, but also a serious breach of diplomatic norms and ethics." |
| "The reported activities absolutely do not reflect the spirit of a close and friendly relationship between the two neighbours and are considered unacceptable by the government of Indonesia," the foreign ministry added in a statement. | "The reported activities absolutely do not reflect the spirit of a close and friendly relationship between the two neighbours and are considered unacceptable by the government of Indonesia," the foreign ministry added in a statement. |
| Australian ambassador Greg Moriarty was summoned to the foreign ministry on Friday. | |
| He described the talks, which reportedly took less than half an hour, as "a good meeting". | He described the talks, which reportedly took less than half an hour, as "a good meeting". |
| Australia and Indonesia are key allies and trading partners. Australia requires Indonesia's co-operation on the asylum issue, as many asylum seekers travel via Indonesia to Australia by boat. | Australia and Indonesia are key allies and trading partners. Australia requires Indonesia's co-operation on the asylum issue, as many asylum seekers travel via Indonesia to Australia by boat. |
| 'Clarification' | 'Clarification' |
| Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Beijing was "extremely concerned" about the report. | Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Beijing was "extremely concerned" about the report. |
| "[China] demands that the US offer a clarification and explanation," she said. "We demand that foreign embassies in China and their staff respect the Vienna Convention." | "[China] demands that the US offer a clarification and explanation," she said. "We demand that foreign embassies in China and their staff respect the Vienna Convention." |
| Malaysia's foreign ministry, in a statement, said it had sought clarification on the issue from the US envoy in Kuala Lumpur, adding that Malaysia's "security and sovereignty" remained the priority. | Malaysia's foreign ministry, in a statement, said it had sought clarification on the issue from the US envoy in Kuala Lumpur, adding that Malaysia's "security and sovereignty" remained the priority. |
| Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade declined to comment on the reports. Prime Minister Tony Abbott said: "Every Australian governmental agency, every Australian official... operates in accordance with the law." | Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade declined to comment on the reports. Prime Minister Tony Abbott said: "Every Australian governmental agency, every Australian official... operates in accordance with the law." |
| The reports are the latest in a series of documents leaked by ex-US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, who has been granted temporary asylum in Russia and is wanted in the US in connection with the unauthorised disclosures. | The reports are the latest in a series of documents leaked by ex-US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, who has been granted temporary asylum in Russia and is wanted in the US in connection with the unauthorised disclosures. |
| The US is facing growing anger over reports it spied on its allies abroad. | The US is facing growing anger over reports it spied on its allies abroad. |
| However, correspondents say that in reality most governments conduct surveillance or espionage operations against other countries whose activities matter to them. | However, correspondents say that in reality most governments conduct surveillance or espionage operations against other countries whose activities matter to them. |