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)