Minister clarifies E. Timor deportations

JAKARTA: Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on Tuesday over 200 Indonesians were deported from neighboring East Timor because they did not have valid documents.

Hassan downplayed suggestions the deported Indonesians, all Muslims, were deported from the predominantly Catholic East Timor because of their religion.

"It has been a long-standing issue because they insisted on staying in the country after the referendum," the minister said, adding that the deported people had refused offers from the Indonesian envoy in East Timor to help them secure passports and other documents.

Earlier last week, the government of East Timor deported 270 Indonesians who had been living in Dili. -- JP