Relations between Indonesia and
Australia plummeted after Jakarta accused Canberra of paying
people smugglers to take illegal migrants to the Indonesian
coast rather than to Australia, diplomatic sources said Monday.
The Indonesian government summoned the Australian
ambassador over the claims, which the conservative Australian
government of Tony Abbott has declined to confirm or deny.
The Office of the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)
and the International Organisation of Migrants (OIM) have
demanded an explanation of the claims.
The allegations have sparked a furore within the Australian
opposition, which is already up in arms over the government's
hardline position on immigration.
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