Indonesia Not To Worry Over Australia's Plan To Recall Ambassador

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesia will not worry over Australia's plan to recall its ambassador in protest against the execution of its citizens on Wednesday morning, according to Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

Kalla said the move was normal in diplomatic relations between countries.

"So, if they (the Australian Government) react very strongly and recall their ambassador, then they are only following a common practice in diplomatic relations. It signals displeasure," he stated at his office here on Wednesday afternoon.

Kalla noted that despite strong reactions from other countries to the execution of death row drug convicts in the country, Indonesia will stick to rules and regulations effective in the country.

According to Kalla, Australia's statement against the executions was merely a matter of domestic political interest.

"It was how we in Indonesia reacted to the execution of our citizens in Saudi Arabia (or) Malaysia. We all react very strongly. It is a common reaction. It was we who first withdrew our ambassador to Australia and Brazil," he explained.

Kalla stressed that the executions were not the president's or the vice-president's will, but it was a decision made by a judge based on the existing law of the country.

Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott was quoted as saying by The Age on Wednesday that he will recall his ambassador to Indonesia following the execution of two of its nationals for their involvement in a narcotic drug case.

According to The Age report, Abbot stated that he will recall his ambassador by the end of this week at the latest.

Indonesia's foreign ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir, however, observed that Indonesia has not received any notification about Australia's plan to recall Ambassador Paul Grigson.

He added that recalling an ambassador is the right of the Australian Government and is a normal practice. (WDY)