E. Timorese in Australia

E. Timorese in Australia

During the visit of the Australian Minister of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs to Indonesia it was learned that 700 East Timorese had sought political asylum in Australia. They had entered Australia using tourist visas. The Australian government rejected the request.

We are not convinced that so many East Timorese voluntarily asked for political asylum all at the same time. There seems to be grounds for the allegation that a syndicate of anti- integration individuals from East Timor exists which is persuading East Timorese on a visit to Australia to ask for asylum, or even that it may be forcing them to do so by taking their passports.

Naturally we are concerned about this problem because it could harm Indonesia's good standing abroad. We are surprised that the Australian embassy and Australian consulates in Indonesia could issue, at more or less the same time, 700 tourist visas to residents of such a small area. Whether the asylum requests are granted or rejected is all the same to the anti-integration syndicate. Just the publicity of 700 East Timorese asking for asylum is enough to help their cause.

However, we must welcome the Australian government's decision to reject the request. By doing so, the Australian government makes it clear that the lives of the East Timorese tourists are not in danger in their home country and that Australia does not want to disrupt relations with Indonesia. It seems the Australian government is becoming increasingly aware that the country is being used by East Timorese who oppose integration.

-- Surabaya Post