Indonesia not rushing to restore ties

Julie Bishop described talks with Indonesia over the spying controversy as a positive step forward. Source: AAP

INDONESIAN Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has cast doubt over a quick resumption of conventional relations with Canberra, saying there are issues to be addressed before official talks on a code of conduct can start.

Speaking on Thursday after a five-hour hearing on the spying scandal in front of the Indonesian parliament's foreign affairs and defence committee, Dr Natalegawa warned that drafting a code of conduct was merely the first step on a long road back to normal diplomatic relations.

It has also become clear the letter from Prime Minister Tony Abbott, delivered to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Saturday, has done little to quell Indonesia's anger over the spying revelations and Australia's response to the demands for an explanation.

An official at the closed-door hearing said Dr Natalegawa told those present he was not able to divulge details of the correspondence from Mr Abbott.

Dr Natalegawa also warned he must be assured by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop that Australia was committed to signing up to a code of conduct, including protocols around spying, before official discussions could take place.

"Having this first step of communication will be very important to see whether there is sufficient reservoir of potential for us to be moving to the next step, namely the discussion on the code of conduct itself."

Ms Bishop said on Thursday she hoped the early discussions with Dr Natalegawa would be a first step towards normalising relations.

"We're doing it in a spirit of co-operation, it's a very positive step forward," she said in Sydney. It is believed Ms Bishop will be heading to Jakarta soon to begin negotiations.

But Dr Natalegawa later warned that drafting a code of conduct was only the beginning.

"That road map has been very clearly laid out by the president. There is nothing mysterious here. Australia needs to sit together with Indonesia and show good intention," Dr Natalegawa said.

The next bilateral leaders' meeting is not scheduled until late 2014, meaning it could be almost 12 months before the code of conduct - which at Mr Yudhoyono's insistence must be signed by himself and Mr Abbott - is ratified.

It would take even longer, Dr Natalegawa warned, for Indonesia to evaluate Australia's response and compliance.

Dr Natalegawa warned the re-establishment of co-operation in areas such as the military and police, including joint efforts aimed at combating people smuggling, would remain contingent on Australia adhering to the agreement.

"Most importantly, the fifth and the sixth steps, the protocol and code of ethics must be implemented and there must be time to allow for evaluation that it has been implemented," he said.

"The sixth step (is) that there is a re-establishment or revival of a sense of trust before we can proceed to look at the bilateral co-operation between the two countries."

Dr Natalegawa also confirmed Indonesia's ambassador to Australia, Nadjib Riphat Kesoema, would remain in Jakarta while bilateral issues remained unresolved.

"He is still here and I've told him to make himself comfortable in Jakarta and there's no need to rush to go back to Australia," Dr Natalegawa said.

Dr Yudhoyono earlier this week demanded Australia sign up to the "code of ethics and protocols", saying they were needed to map out the future bilateral relationship.

The president has insisted that the code of conduct must address the spying issue and contain protocols to ensure similar espionage activities do not occur again.

Dr Yudhoyono suspended military, security and people-smuggling co-operation this month after revelations Australian spies targeted his mobile phone, his wife's phone and those of his inner circle, in 2009.

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