http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21819935-601,00.html
Indonesia demands apology a.. Stephen Fitzpatrick b.. May 30, 2007 A prominent Indonesian politician who is tipped to become the country's next president has demanded an apology from Australia after police barged into his hotel room in Sydney. The police were acting on a subpoena issued by the Glebe Coroners Court, which is investigating the death of Brian Peters, one of five Australian-based newsmen killed at Balibo in October 1975. The politician, retired Lieutenant-General Sutiyoso, who is the Governor of Jakarta, was a member of the commando squad believed responsible for the deaths of the Australians. "I was resting in my room, and without warning, without knocking on the door and using a master key from reception, they entered," a furious Mr Sutiyoso said in Jakarta today. The Governor, who was in Australia at the invitation of the NSW Government, cut short his engagements in disgust - including an official visit to Canberra - and immediately returned to Indonesia. Deputy State Coroner Dorelle Pinch said she had a "small window of opportunity to secure his attendance". "On the basis of initial advice that I received I directed that a subpoena be served on him." However, Ms Pinch said she subsequently received "more considered legal advice that cast doubt on whether I could indeed compel his attendance". The officer assisting the inquest, Detective Sergeant Steve Thomas, went to General Sutiyoso's hotel to convey the coroner's invitation to appear. "Mr Sutiyoso declined to attend the inquest, citing previous engagements and commitments," Ms Pinch told the court. "There now appears to be some suggestion that Detective Sergeant Thomas gained unauthorised entry to Mr Sutiyoso's hotel room. "I spoke to Detective Sergeant Thomas and he assures me that that is not so." Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda contacted Australian ambassador Bill Farmer for an explanation shortly after the incident. Embassy spokesman John Williams said the ambassador had assured Dr Wirajuda that the encounter was the result of "an independent action by the deputy corner of NSW - it's not something we can dictate to or direct". However Dr Wirajuda's spokesman, Kristiarto Suryo Legowo, said this morning that "at the very least" Indonesia would require an apology from Australia. A livid Mr Sutioso went much further after arriving back in the capital on an overnight flight via Singapore, saying he was "very disappointed" by the incident. "I want a formal apology from the Australian government," said the Governor, who is in his second term as head of the city of 14 million people and who has deep-rooted political support in Indonesia. "If not, is there any point continuing the relationship between the two countries?" [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
