Indonesia, Australia to hold more talks on E. Timor asylum center

Indonesia, Australia to hold more talks on E. Timor asylum center

2010-10-13 19:30:54 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and Australian Immigration Minister Chris Bowen on Wednesday met in Jakarta, Indonesia to further discuss the plans of a refugee center in Timor-Leste aimed to reduce asylum seekers through Southeast Asia on their way to Australia.

While the Australian government is pushing for a regional framework on asylum seekers, including the refugee center, Natalegawa has agreed to send officials to continue discussing the issue.

"Minister Natalegawa agreed to make his officials available in the coming weeks to further develop the proposal," Bowen said. "He certainly understood the importance of a processing center in terms of a broader regional framework."

"Certainly we think a processing center - an assessment center - is an important part of ensuring a consistent, regional approach, consistent and collective approach across our region," he added.

"We return to the position to listen to their explanation. Our foreign affairs minister stressed its importance as part of a regional framework," Teuku Faizasyah, Indonesia's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, said.

This year alone, around 100 boats carrying asylum seekers have made their way into Australian waters, but their is doubt wether the center will be the solution and be able to reduce or even stop them.

"The Government needs to be very careful not to just buy the myth that has been pedaled by the Opposition and by others that if you build a big scary detention center, that is somehow going to stop people from seeking protection," said Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Former Prime Minister of East Timor Mari Alkatiri told Bowen a processing center for asylum seekers in his country would be a source of social tension as it has yet to resolve several of its own serious issues, such as the administration of justice and land and property rights. An asylum seeker center set up against such conditions would generate conflicts with unforeseen consequences, Alkatiri explained.

Among other Indonesian officials, Immigration Department Director General Muhammad Indra has reportedly expressed concerns that a processing center in East Timor would attract asylum seekers from across the world.

However, Australia and Timor-Leste agreed on Tuesday to form a joint working group to develop the processing center, which could cost about $30 million.

Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta dismissed reports of widespread domestic opposition to the proposals, saying people would agree once he explained the humanitarian imperatives, but he had previously stated that the proposed center to be built had to be temporary.

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