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