Indonesia sends envoy back to Australia

JAKARTA, June 9: Indonesia said today that its ambassador to Australia, who was recalled during a dispute over Canberra's decision to grant dozens of Papuans asylum in March, would return to his post this weekend.

Australia's decision to give temporary protection visas to the boatpeople angered Jakarta, which said the decision supported Papua's independence movement, and severely strained bilateral relations.

The 42 asylum seekers and human rights groups accuse Jakarta of widespread abuses in its easternmost province, a charge Indonesia denies.

''(The ambassador) is expected to arrive in Canberra during the weekend,'' Indonesian foreign affairs spokesman Desra Percaya said.

He said the envoy needed to prepare for a June 26 meeting between Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

Australia is expected to reinforce its support of Indonesia's territorial sovereignty over Papua province in the meeting that will take place on the Indonesian island of Batam.

In the wake of the incident, Australia decided to revise how it receives asylum seekers.

Reuters