Austrian embassy told to hand over asylum seekers

Austrian embassy told to hand over asylum seekers

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said
yesterday that the government would not allow two of six East
Timorese seeking asylum at the Austrian Embassy to leave this
country because of their involvement in terrorism.

Alatas insisted that the embassy hand over the two people to
local authorities as they were strongly suspected of being
involved in the assembling of bombs in Demak, Central Java.

"We have told the Austrian government that we can not allow
these two people to leave for Portugal because it will mean that
we protect criminals," Alatas said after meeting with President
Soeharto at Merdeka Palace.

Alatas revealed that he had received the Austrian government's
special envoy to deal with the problem.

Six people, including a husband and wife and their two small
children, entered the Austrian Embassy under the pretext of
applying for visas on Sept. 19. Later they said they were seeking
political asylum to Portugal claiming they "felt in danger".

The man was identified as Avelino Maria Coelho da Silva, 35,
and his wife Sabina of Kalimantan. Avelino is the secretary-
general of the alleged terrorist group Associacio Socialista de
Timor (AST).

East Timor Military Commander Col. Salamat Sidabutar said
earlier this month that the couple had masterminded the
production of bombs in Demak.

Armed Forces (ABRI) spokesman Brig. Gen. A. Wahab Mokodongan
did not name Sabina as the second suspect, but Nuno Vicente
Pereira Saldanha.

"We ask Austria to hand them over to us so that a legal
process can be implemented. As for the others, if they want to go
to Portugal they can go, it can be accepted," Alatas said.

A homemade bomb exploded accidentally on Sept. 13 in a house
at Batursari, Demak, Central Java.

The house, rented by three members of the AST, was heavily
damaged.

In further developments, police arrested two East Timorese
youths on their arrival in Dili on Sept. 15. East Timor Military
Commander Col. Salamat Sidabutar said last week they were caught
red-handed carrying 20 homemade bombs produced in Demak.

"The Austrian government told us (if conducted) the handover
of the East Timorese may spark waves of protests there... but I
said you must explain to them that it is impossible for you to
protect terrorists," Alatas said.

Police also seized 44 rounds of ammunition for M-16 rifles and
24 bullets for Colt 31 and FN 45 pistols from the youths.

They allegedly planned to bomb the venue where Governor Abilio
Jose Osorio Soares was sworn in for his second term by Minister
of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. on Sept. 17.

They were identified as Constantio Costa dos Santos and Paulo
George Tereira.

Also yesterday, President Soeharto ordered Attorney General
Singgih to investigate the bomb production case.

In a related development, Central Java police said yesterday
that they were still questioning four members of the AST.

They were allegedly involved in making the bombs in Demak and
arrested recently.

"Their dossiers will be handed over soon to the prosecution
office. I hope they will be tried soon," said chief of Central
Java police Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman in Semarang. (prb/har)