How typical of 'reporting' (and I use that term in it's loosest possible sense) by The Age. This is an abject lesson in how to turn words from something they were into something they weren't, just to get across an opinion.
"As far as Ms Bishop is concerned her meeting earlier this week with Indonesia's Foreign Affairs Minister to discuss the Coalition's controversial asylum-seeker policy was "very cordial", "positive and very productive"."Nothing about what she took from the meeting, any possible actions or change of policy - nothing - just "very cordial", "positive and very productive". And the Indonesian Minister's reply was just as simple after giving his view:
''I think, the message has been conveyed loud and clear and has been understood well," Dr Natalegawa added.Later in the interview she (Bishop)
denied there was any tension between the two at the meeting. "We spoke very warmly. We know each other well." but that wan't sufficient for our scribe who pushed on. From all that, the 'reporter' (again, used in it's loosest sense) surmised/observed/interpreted that:
But the message it seems was not heard by Ms Bishop who told Australian media 24 hours after the meeting in New York that they were in agreeance to put an end to people smuggling.Bishop said nothing at all about the contentious (to Indonesia) part of the policy except to say
"There can be some misunderstanding as to what our policy is and it is certainly not to in any way show disrespect for Indonesian sovereignty and for anyone to think that that was our policy that would be a mistake.
"Our policy respects Indonesia's sovereignty, respects Indonesia's territorial borders, just as Indonesia respects ours."and what she also did say was that both parties were in agreeance to put an end to people smuggling (remember the "very cordial", "positive and very productive", and "has been understood well" bits) but no, our intrepid 'reporter' 'reports' that the message wasn't heard by Bishop. Here's a possibility the 'reporter' didn't consider - it is just as possible or likely that from all the discussions that have already and are about to take place between the 2 countries then it will be modified or dropped as part of a solution satisfactory to all concerned - but I suppose when the 'reporting' becomes 'opining' then all care with facts can be thrown out the window.
Bishop then goes on to say
"I put to Foreign Minister Natalegawa that Australia will be making changes to the laws in Australia so that we take away the product that the people smugglers are currently selling and that is permanent residency in Australia." and after 3 unsuccessful attempts to get Bishop to reveal details of the talks, even her explanation of
"I'm not going into the operational details of our policy but I had a very broad ranging discussion with Mr Natalegawa and I'm confident we will be able to implement our policies." wasn't enough to deter our reporter from her quest to paint the talks in a bad light.
And if you think my opinion on the quality of her reporting is askew then take a minute to read the article in the Indonesian press regarding the meeting and point out anywhere, even once in the article where it states or indicates Natalegawa
"clearly saw – and heard - it differently" what Bishop said:
New York (ANTARA News) - Indonesia has issued a warning against Australia`s plan to implement its policy on boat people, which violates Indonesia`s sovereignty.
Foreign minister Marty Natalegawa reiterated the country`s stance at a bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop at the U.N. Headquarters here on Monday.
Natalegawa and Bishop met a day before the opening of the 68th U.N. General Assembly.
"We have reiterated that Indonesia cannot accept any Australian policy that would, in nature, violate Indonesia`s sovereignty," he told reporters after holding a series of multilateral and bilateral meetings.
"I think, the message has been conveyed loud and clear and has been understood well," he added.
The two countries` foreign ministers had met to discuss preparations for the planned visit of new Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot to Jakarta on September 30.
Natalegawa further revealed that during the meeting Bishop had explained again the efforts that Australia would take to prevent the arrival of boat people to Indonesia.
"He also emphasized that measures should be adopted so that Indonesia`s sovereignty is not violated," the minister stated.
Meanwhile, Natalegawa also reminded that Indonesia and Australia were jointly chairing the Bali Process--a vehicle set up for countering human trafficking.
"There are steps that we can take, but they should be orderly and respect the two countries` sovereignty," he said.
He added that the boat people issue would be part of the agenda during talks between Abbot and President Yudhoyono.
Efforts to prevent the arrival of the boat people and human trafficking are one of the priorities spelt out by the new Australian prime minister at the beginning of his leadership.
As has been reported by the media, Operation Sovereign Borders Australia will carry out various action plans, including sending back boats ferrying asylum seekers to Indonesia before they reach Australia`s shores.
Abbot has said Australia will respect Indonesia`s sovereignty with regards to the implementation of the policy.http://www.antara.co.id/en/news/90847/indonesia-issues-warningagainst-australias-boat-people-policyThe good old Age, right up there with unbiased and factual reporting. Any wonder their circulation is dropping abysmally, with crap like that spewing forth they won't be around in another 10 years.
