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SBY resents Abbott in his new, controversial book
Man of hidden talents: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (center) and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, flanked by Cabinet ministers, leave the stage after a book launch at the Jakarta Convention Center in Jakarta on Friday
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Man of hidden talents: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (center) and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, flanked by Cabinet ministers, leave the stage after a book launch at the Jakarta Convention Center in Jakarta on Friday. The book, titled Selalu Ada Pilihan (There is Always a Choice), was penned by President Yudhoyono himself and in it, he relates his memories and experiences during his 9 years as president. (Antara/Andika Wahyu) (center) and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, flanked by Cabinet ministers, leave the stage after a book launch at the Jakarta Convention Center in Jakarta on Friday. The book, titled Selalu Ada Pilihan (There is Always a Choice), was penned by President Yudhoyono himself and in it, he relates his memories and experiences during his 9 years as president. (Antara/Andika Wahyu)
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span class="caption" style="width: 496px;">Man of hidden talents: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (center) and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, flanked by Cabinet ministers, leave the stage after a book launch at the Jakarta Convention Center in Jakarta on Friday. The book, titled Selalu Ada Pilihan (There is Always a Choice), was penned by President Yudhoyono himself and in it, he relates his memories and experiences during his 9 years as president. (Antara/Andika Wahyu)
In his new book, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has expressed disappointment at the way Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott handled tensions between the two nations after revelations emerged of Australia's suspected wiretapping of the President and his wife in 2009.
In the book, titled Selalu Ada Pilihan (There is Always a Choice), Yudhoyono said he initially refrained from following a harsh policy that could have affected relations between the countries after the eavesdropping revelations.
However, Yudhoyono said the final straw came when he learned that Abbott viewed the incident as normal.
'When my best friend Tony Abbott made several statements before the Australian parliament suggesting the case was normal and refused to apologize, I could no longer stay silent,' said Yudhoyono in his book, which was launched on Friday.
He also said that as a strategic partner, he could not accept the rationale behind the incident, which violated Indonesian, Australian and international law.
'Also important is that the incident related to the moral and ethical side of being a good neighbor,' the President went on.
Yudhoyono said he deeply regretted the incident amid all-time high relations between the two countries.
Due to Abbott's handling of the matter, Yudhoyono finally decided to suspend cooperation in the areas of military and defense, joint patrols on boat people, as well as intelligence and information sharing with Australia, resulting in ties between the two nations plunging to their lowest level.
Yudhoyono also said in the book that Australia should have honestly briefed Indonesia over the wiretapping incident two months before it was revealed in November.
'When I read the news of the wiretapping involving the US and Australia, I instructed Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa to seek clarification from Australia,' he said.
'But their reply was between 'yes' and 'no',' he said.
Yudhoyono said he had not received sufficient explanation from Australia since the incident occurred.
The row with Australia is dealt with in a chapter entitled 'A leader has to be firm, but remain rational'.
The book, written directly by Yudhoyono, is a compilation of his experiences and thoughts on his achievements during his tenure.
'This book is something for me to share and is not intended to teach others or to deliver theories,' said Yudhoyono.
'It's not a memoir. I will publish that at another point. This book is just for me to share both the sweet and bitter tastes of being the President.'
More than 1,000 people attended the book launch, ranging from celebrities, politicians, businesspeople and state enterprise executives.
For Yudhoyono, the 900-page book, which was originally scheduled to be published in December, serves as a response to critics that often labeled him a failed leader.
In his book, Yudhonono also provides tips on winning the presidency, such as avoiding being openly critical of political opponents, forging compromises and never ridiculing previous leaders.
