JAKARTA, April 8 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian government was still waiting for an official explanation on Australian Prime Minister John Howard's statement that Australia would review how it granted visas to Indonesian asylum seekers.

    "We need an explanation from the Australian government about what his statement means. Whether it refers to 'the temporary visas' already granted to the 42 Papuans or to future processes," Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said at Merdeka Palace on Saturday.

    The minister said he got information regarding Howard's statement only from media report. He said he needed a further elaboration from the Australian government to fully understand what Howard had said.

    The Indonesian Government would try to get further explanation on Howard's statement through diplomatic channels, the minister, who had just accompanied President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in a meeting with the visiting Dutch Prime Minister, said.

    Reuters once quoted Prime Minister John Howard in Canberra on Friday as saying that Australia will review how it granted visas to asylum seekers, after Indonesia complained it was not consulted over Canberra's decision to give 42 Papuans protection visas.

    "Whatever comes out of that review you can be certain that we'll continue to meet our international obligations, but we'll also pay proper regard to the importance of the relationship between Australia and Indonesia," Howard told reporters.

    Howard has been adamant that Australia views Papua as part of Indonesia.

    "One of the greatest anti-terrorist blows that can be struck is a successful, progressive, democratic Indonesia ... The best path forward for West Papua is to be part of a more prosperous, more democratic Indonesia," Howard said.

    The visa offer for the asylum seekers, who landed on Australia's remote northeastern tip in late January, has strained relations between the neighbors. There have been protests outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta and calls for a boycott of Australian products.

    The Indonesian Government has filed an official protest and called back its ambassador to Australia to show its anger over Australia's visa granting decision. Enditem