Hassan said Yudhoyono felt the formal protest lodged by the ministry with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and the decision to recall Indonesia's ambassador were sufficient to convey Jakarta's disappointment.

Yudhoyono's position may signal a new-found displeasure with Howard, whom Indonesia accused of having done nothing to discourage "elements in Australia" that supported a separatist movement in Papua.

The leaders previously enjoyed a cordial relationship, which was initiated by Howard when he attended Yudhoyono's inauguration in Jakarta in 2004. The latter paid a return visit to Canberra last year.

Yudhoyono telephoned Howard personally after the news of the landing of 43 Papuans on a remote beach on Cape York in northeastern Australia in January. He assured the Australian leader that the group, which included seven children, would not be harmed if they returned home.

"The president said the measures we have taken so far are sufficient," Hassan said, adding that Yudhoyono was interested in Australia's response to the Indonesian protest but Jakarta had not received any response from Australia.

The Australian Immigration Department granted temporary protection visas on Thursday to 42 of the 43 Papuans, which entitles them to stay in Australia for three years. A decision on a 43rd person is pending.

In Canberra, Downer reassured Indonesia that his government continued to oppose independence for troubled Papua province.

The Jakarta Post

Asia News Network