But the government took the view that when it comes to intelligence matters, apologies are for wimps. With elections looming in Indonesia, and nationalist sentiment there strong, Australia will be paying the diplomatic price for a long time unless it changes course.
事情发生时我正在雅加达，在与印尼高层沟通后做出了这样的判断，并据此建议澳大利亚政府。但澳政府认为在涉及情报事务问题上道歉的都是懦夫。随着印尼选举的临近和民族主义情绪愈演愈烈，除非澳大利亚改弦更张否则将会付出长期的外交代价。