Rogue Element

Sydney, 0600 Zulu, Wednesday, 29 April

Excerpt from phone interview with Indonesian Ambassador Parno Batuta on ABC Radio 702:

ABC: What sort of terrain has the Qantas plane crashed in?

Batuta: We do not know where the plane has come down.

ABC: But you’re searching the island of Sulawesi?

Batuta: Yes, we are concentrating our search there. It’s a rugged place. Much jungle and volcanoes. And the plane could feasibly be anywhere within a very wide area.

ABC: There’s a report coming out of Jakarta, attributed to the air traffic controller who raised the alarm, that the plane could have crashed outside Indonesian territory.

Batuta: We are operating on the advice of our air force and that is something being considered.

ABC: When will you broaden the search?

Batuta: I believe our air force is already doing that.

ABC: If you are also considering other possible areas, then the search must be vast. That being the case, what resources have been allocated?

Batuta: Every available aircraft has been committed.

ABC: Have you invited Australian aircraft to help search?

Batuta: No. Our air force is more than capable.

ABC: What will you do when you find the aircraft?

Batuta: We will allow experts to examine the crash site and try to find the causes, naturally.

ABC: Are there any suggestions yet of terrorism?

Batuta: I would ask you, please, not to ask such a question. We don’t know anything about terrorism. A plane has come down and that is all anyone can say for certain at this moment. And certainly, all I will say. Thank you.