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)