Downer Voices Concern over Bashir: Indonesia

No country should, in my opinion, stick their noses in another country's business or affairs. But, it seems this is happening in a very subtle way, or is it a diplomatic way. Australia is concerned over the ability of Indonesia to keep cleric Abu Bakar Bashir in check.

Although Foreign Minister Alexander Downer believes [to a certain extent] that Indonesia will disallow the fiery cleric to return to his former activities of terrorism incitement. He does however have certain reservations.

Justifiably so considering the cleric's past history. Downer was quoted as saying in an ABC interview that Indonesia was required, under a United Nations Security Council resolution on terrorism, to freeze Bashir's assets and restrict his movement and activities.

What I would like to know is just how the Indonesian government intends to keep an eye on the 67 year old hardline and fiery Islamic cleric. Assigning a police detachment to watch his every move or listen to every word he says at the Ngruki Islamic boarding school where he intends to return and teach again, would be an impossibilty not to mention costly to the government. It's like a game of chess - we wait for his next move and in the meantime hope his next move will not be a volatile one.

As Foreign Mnister Downer said, "We would have liked him to spend more time in jail."

Reminds me of the Rolling Stones song - 'You can't always get what you want'