Govt defends ban on visits to East Timor
Govt defends ban on visits to East Timor
JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday defended the government's decision to prevent a number of "foreign dignitaries" from flying to Dili in East Timor.
"In view of the recent developments in East Timor indicating continuing activities by anti-integration group in creating disorder in the province, the Indonesian government deems it necessary to take appropriate measures in securing the safety of any individual wishing to visit the province," the ministry said in a statement.
"It is also regretted that there is an indication that certain parties, including foreigners described by foreign news agencies as `activists from different countries' are exploiting the situation in East Timor under the pretext of commemorating the 12th November 1991 incident in Dili."
The statement also expressed regret at the inconveniences caused to those whose travel plans had been affected.
Antara reported that seven foreigners were ordered to leave East Timor yesterday for security reasons and that another group was prevented from boarding a flight to Dili from Jakarta.
Rahardi Suroprawiro, director for supervision and operation of the Directorate General of Immigration, said the foreigners' presence could incite the local people to riot.
"It's the Immigration Directorate General's authority to supervise foreigners and their activities during their stay in the country," Antara news agency quoted him as saying.
The foreigners included Daniel Botha, a Namibian parliamentarian, American Reed Brody and Brian Brown, Australian Aboriginal poet Lionel Fogerty and Filipinos Maria Suplido and Myrna de Arceo.
In a separate incident, security officers prevented a number of foreigners from boarding a plane in Denpasar, Bali, to Dili.
Spokesman of the Armed Forces (ABRI) Brig. Gen. Suwarno Adiwijoyo said ABRI had the foreigners "deported" on Wednesday after they were found holding underground meetings on the commemoration plan with clandestine groups in Dili.
He accused the foreigners of trying to discredit the Indonesian government. (rms/yac)