Letter to Editor
The Age, 23 September 2002Embassy rebuts Aceh allegation
I refer to your article in The Age (18/9) concerning Lesley Jane McCulloch's detention in Aceh, Indonesia. Her accusation that we refused her request for a social-visit visa, prompting her to use a tourist visa to enter Indonesia, is baseless.The Embassy has checked all of its consulates in Australia, and there is no evidence that Ms. McCulloch requested a social visa application for her research in Aceh. Therefore, her claims that she was threatened, harassed or otherwise during her detention are also questionable.
She once claimed herself to be an "authority" on Aceh, clarifying thereby her ulterior motive being in Aceh in breach of Indonesia's law and regulations. She now faces its consequences.
Trini G. Sualang
Head of Information, Embassy of Indonesia
Canberra
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, Canberra - Australia