At least 31 asylum seekers drowned when their vessel sank off Java's coast last week
New
Australian PM Tony Abbott is to begin a visit to Indonesia, amid
tensions between the two nations over his tough asylum policies.
Mr Abbott, who was elected earlier this month, defends his plans.
Last week, at least 31 asylum seekers drowned when their vessel sank off the coast of Java.
'Stand or fall'
Mr Abbott is expected to hold talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the two-day visit to the country - his first overseas trip since becoming prime minister.
He also stressed the symbolic importance of his visit.
"It is my hope that this visit establishes a convention for all future incoming prime ministers to make Jakarta their first port of call overseas," Mr Abbott said.
Mr Abbott has said in the past that he wants "more Jakarta and less Geneva" in Australia's foreign policy.
But last week's boat disaster off Java is expected to keep the asylum issue in sharp focus.
Prime Minister Abbott's trip to Indonesia is being billed as an economic and trade visit.
But the reality is that his meetings with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono are likely to be overshadowed by his controversial asylum seeker policies.
Last week Indonesia made the unprecedented move of releasing a virtual transcript of the conversations that took place between Indonesia's Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop.
In the statement, Mr Natalegawa was firm about Indonesia's opposition to any form of unilateral action from Australia.
Analysts said that this was an unusually blunt diplomatic move from Indonesia and an indication of just how seriously the government is taking this issue.
However, since then, the Indonesian foreign ministry has said it did not mean to release the transcript.
Australia will need to get Indonesia's co-operation for Mr Abbott's plan to work, but given the increase in political tensions ahead of this meeting he may have to focus on appeasing the Indonesians instead of pushing ahead with his policies.
Indonesian officials have told the BBC that at least 31 boat people drowned, and 28 have been rescued.
It is not clear how many were on the boat, but some reports say between 80 and 100 people were on board.Survivors have since been accusing the Australian na
vy of failing to respond. Canberra says it has provided all appropriate assistance to the vessel.
Also last week, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said Mr Abbott's policies could put co-operation on asylum seekers at risk.
Ahead of September's elections Mr Abbott campaigned on a "stop the boats" policy, which helped propel him to power.
He says stopping the thousands of asylum seekers is a "stand or fall" issue for him.
The Liberal prime minister has also ordered the military to turn back migrant boats en route to Australia and - where possible - prevent them from embarking.
Hundreds of migrants have died trying to reach Australian shores in recent years; many of them head for Christmas Island, a remote Australian territory in the Indian Ocean.
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA
