Suspicious package at the Indonesian Embassy
Andrea Close/Ross Solly ABC 666 Interview Sandi Logan, ACT Policing Media
Thursday 2 June 2005
Andrea Close: Well after yesterday investigations are no doubt underway with the Australian Federal Police. Sandi Logan good morning to you.
Sandi Logan: Good morning Andrea.
Andrea Close: Can you give us an update on anything that's happened in regards to yesterday at the Indonesian Embassy?
Sandi Logan: Well I guess it's probably safest simply to say that we continue to be patient and await the outcome of the Government laboratory's analysis of the substance in the package that they're currently working on. The decontamination process went through and was completed quite smoothly last night about 9:30pm; 46 members of staff were quite tired and I know looking forward to getting home and getting into their own familiar surrounds after a somewhat gruelling day.
Andrea Close: Well they'll have a day off today.
Sandi Logan: Well they will in the sense that yes, the Embassy is closed acting on the advice of ACT Health officials. The Embassy will remain closed throughout the day and possibly even tomorrow but that'll be subject to any reports we get on the analysis.
Ross Solly: Now Sandi Logan you did have a big operation down there yesterday; the early reports were that the staff may have to remain in isolation for a couple of days. They were allowed home last night. Can we read into that that maybe reports have indicated this morning that the substance has turned out to be harmless, that we believe at this stage that it was harmless?
Sandi Logan: I think Ross that's probably a premature reading or interpretation of how events have unfolded. Purely as a precautionary measure, the decontamination process was undertaken and completed with the work of the hazardous material crews from the Emergency Services Authority. But that's purely a precautionary measure and seeing as it was completed as tidily and as expeditiously as it was, there was no need for Embassy staff to be retained at the premises.
Andrea Close: Do we expect an answer today in regards to what the substance is?
Sandi Logan: I guess that's a bit like "do we expect to know how long the piece of string is?". We'll just wait and see what the outcome of the ongoing tests by the Government analytical laboratory will be and we'll be able to let the community know and then through the media of course, what the outcome of that testing is.
Ross Solly: Sandi Logan you'd already increased security hadn't you at the Indonesian Embassy a couple of weeks ago, is that right?
Sandi Logan: The ongoing security of all of our missions is the responsibility of Protective Security Coordination Centre, and that has been an ongoing issue for all missions and consulates involved with the Republic of Indonesia for some time now.
Ross Solly: Will there be any increase in security Indonesian Embassy from today?
Sandi Logan: Look that I think is something Ross that's probably best left for those who are responsible for that sort of organisation and security to determine; it wouldn't be a matter that ACT Policing would be acting on (on its own).
Ross Solly: Sandi Logan of course we have a unit don't we here in the ACT who're equipped to deal with this and they were in full action last night.
Sandi Logan: Sorry Ross a unit associated with?
Ross Solly: with suspicious packages things like this?
Sandi Logan: There is a contingency and a unit in place that involves the Emergency Services Authority and the Police in terms of response. Initially police were called to the scene along with Protective Service officers who were in the vicinity. From there the hazardous material team did come into play, performing a key role in initially containing and securing the package, and then having that transported to the Government Laboratory, and of course they played a key role in terms of the decontamination process.
Andrea Close: Sandi if you can keep us sort of in the loop with anything that may evolve later on in the day in regards to the Embassy that'd be wonderful.
Sandi Logan: Will do Andrea.
Andrea Close: Thank you, Sandi Logan from the AFP.
Ends//