@Poirot,

<<In a 2004 interview, retiring Indonesian intelligence chief General Abdullah Mahmud Hendropriyono said his agency tapped Australian civil and military communications and politicians' phone calls.It also made unsuccessful attempts to recruit Australian spies, he said.>
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/indonesia-spied-on-australia-in-2004-says-ex-intelligence-chief/story-fn59nm2j-1226763231240

Soooo since our incident happened in 2009 and theirs in 2004, how about we say "YOU FIRST!"

<<He was only too happy to apologize to the Malaysian PM for his remarks while in Opposition>>
The point you are missing Poirot is, you only apologize if you don't intend to do the offensive act again --even you are wise enough to know that isn't so: <<The usual charade is for the perpetrator to apologize and for relations to continue after a speed bump.>>
Your suggested response isn't diplomacy --it's bared assed Machiavellianism (which is probably why it's the first thing that springs to your mind!).

And while we're on << The usual charade is for the perpetrator to apologize and for relations to continue after a speed bump>>
Wow! If that's all it takes some people would be a reaaaaal pushover to the ploy:"but will you still respect in the morning?
"yes of course ...now, your place or mine."

Abbott has gone about building a concrete wall which will now have to be chipped away before relations can improve.
Poirot,
And you lot are still building a moat of crap. I find it it traitorous to say the least how some lefties are undermining this Government's work of rebuilding. Decency is not in your vocabulary is it ?

Raw Mustard what is the purpose of that post? are you over ten years of age?
Indy mate leave it out!we know but!
I am at not sure some understand why we have a word like Diplomacy, and why that word is so important, to both sides.
And unsure if we understand Abbott could, maybe should? have dumped the issue back on the Labor Government in power at that time.
He showed guts in not doing that.
But must in private and publicly say sorry now, after he spoke in public like that.
But how many can see a reason for listening in, or attempting to, to that Nations heads phone, his wifes? his deputy.
Here I remind some, seen in other threads, saying we should make Indonesia say sorry to us, for the boat people! of that word DIPLOMACY.
We can use it even now, it is away to save face on both sides, but too has always been a cover, known by both sides for lies.
So we can find many reasons for concern many questions and no answers.
Why however is America using contractors in such important areas.
Why is Russia poking at prodding at America and the world by letting this fool hide there.
Apart that is from its head being a self loving idiot.
Let us not confuse Snowdon with that other releaser of hidden activity's, this bloke is a waster of the air he breaths.

Indy I over looked your second insult, that over time is my view of every post you put up here.
But it is time I took the role of Devils advocate.
I am going to defend you!
I get you, understand.
You have the view the world is wrong, always.
And it needs you to pop up now and again and introduce it to a Taxidermist.
Fancy telling us we are traitors!
Diplomacy is a centurys old fact.
It is used by all Nations, to smooth over things like this by shaking hands telling each other lies and kissing both cheeks.
In the end Indy IF one side trys to be top dog no answer /resolution is possible.
EVERY TIME
Now it is time I put those skills I learned of in my working life to use.
Indy my mate! every thing you say is true, I will ring you and talk about it when time allowes,diplomacy's for good by bloke!

what tonies missing..is that we dont let..china
build our phony..tony..telephony..system

yet...gasp..chinese..not*
because the china man..will..spy on..us

well tony..now the wet sock..is on..the other foot
WE ALL..DO IT..so get out of business..of picking winners
and stop the whining...i know two faced..and im seeing it here.

oh..its just fine and dany..if its the mossad or
the usa's..40 other spying agencies..but not the chinese?

im seeing cross-eyed
or one eyed...logic..

and re this keeping the boat/people..info close to ya chest
dont wash neither..if the traffickers are getting it direct..from the media..in..the lands..of the foreigner..the darker yellow/dark peril

its purely to keep ausies in the dark
not the..angels of mercy..helping the modern day jew..escape..modern..SYSTEMATIZED..govt oppression..actively recorded order by order..that we yet again..will never hear..nor even any court

by their works..will..we know you
not ya..pr/spinners carefully worded/words

Poirot, between you, me and the gatepost, I can tell you why Abbott is
being "stubborn" and refusing to apologise.
It is simple, he knows that Indonesia is employing the same tactics.
However he cannot let on that he knows.

Now I can say that because I am a nobody and it is supposition.

Belly, the "Five Eyes", US, UK, Canada, NZ & Aus goes back to the war.

X stations were set up and operated by these countries and sent their
copying of enemy traffic to Bletchley Park for decyphering.
Incidentaly many monitoring stations were run by radio amateurs who
were recruited as they had the expertise.

This sort of thing has been going on since then.
The first ASIO computer in Canberra was "tapped", probably by the
Russians, by listening to the pulses radiated by the wiring of the
computer, by means of a radio receiver connected to the fence around
the installation.

Now I bet that gets "flagged" but it is very old history and resulted
in a technology called "Tempest" to make computers more secure.
Remember the BBC documentary that showed people in a van in the street
displaying the monitor of a computer inside the building ?

Even the Indonesians will get a copy of this. Hello !