The Australian, 5 April 2006: "Embassy denounces Leak;

I REFER to the cartoon by Bill Leak printed in The Weekend Australian of April 1-2. As in the case of the cartoon published in the daily Rakyat Merdeka on Monday, March 27, the Indonesian Embassy also condemns the Leak cartoon.

It is my view that these cartoons are malicious, tasteless and are detrimental to the effort to improve the relationship between Indonesia and Australia . As a well-respected national daily newspaper, I believe that by printing Leak’s cartoon you have considerably lower your standards.

While I acknowledge the freedom of the media in Indonesia and Australia and respect its independence from government interference, I believe there is a responsibility from the media to be sensitive and attentive to the consequences of their actions.

Y. Kristiarto S. Legowo

Charge d’Affaires

Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia , Canberra .


The Australian, 5 April 2006 page 15 Embassy denounces Leak
I REFER to the cartoon by Bill Leak printed in The Weekend Australian of April 1-2. As in the case of the cartoon published in the daily Rakyat Merdeka on Monday, March 27, the Indonesian Embassy also condemns the Leak cartoon. It is my view that these cartoons are malicious, tasteless and are detrimental to the effort to improve the relationship between Indonesia and Australia . As a well-respected national daily newspaper, I believe that by printing Leak’s cartoon you have considerably lower your standards. While I acknowledge the freedom of the media in Indonesia and Australia and respect its independence from government interference, I believe there is a responsibility from the media to be sensitive and attentive to the consequences of their actions. Y. Kristiarto S. Legowo Charge d’Affaires Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia , Canberra .