Just read in todays paper that the Indonesians are saying that they will use whatever force neccessary to prevent the Tampa from entering territorial waters. As well, Australia has sent the HMAS Arunta with a crew to sail the Tampa and if neccessary to tow it.
It seems that things are going to get quite ugly fairly quickly with an armed Australian warship escorting a Norwegeian flagged ship (with Australian troops on board) into Indonesian territorial waters. What if Indonesia responds the same way that we did?? A firefight between the Kopuss and the SAS on a container ship with refugges aboard??? It doesnt seem too appealing. Or what if a Indonesian surface vessel fires on the Tampa or the Arunta?? Then what?? Is that an act of war? And if so, who against?? Australia or Norway (Though im pretty sure it would be Australia)
It seems that this is going to flare up pretty quickly and can ruin relations between Indo and Australia very very quickly. Comments??