RI, Australia to discuss plan on Timor Leste refugee center

Indonesia would discuss with Australia over the latter’s plan to use Timor Leste as a regional refugee processing center, says Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, who reserved comment whether Jakarta supports or objects to the proposal.

Marty said he had made telephone conversation with  Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith after the announcement by Prime Minister Julia Gillard Tuesday that Canberra would establish a regional refugee processing center in the then Indonesian province.

“We haven’t done anything. We have just heard the announcement policy by the Australian government a couple of days ago. We haven’t made any decision to discourage or encourage the idea,” Marty told the press on Thursday. “There is still plenty of detailing out to be done.”

Marty said Australia did not consult with Jakarta prior to the announcement by Gillard nor the proposal had ever been mentioned during the Bali Process, in which Indonesia, Australia and other 50 countries in Asia Pacific discussed efforts to combat people smuggling and the future of refugees in Indonesia.

Jakarta has hosted around 14,000 refugees from Afghanistan, who were intercepted on their way to Australia. Jakarta has vowed to send those refugees either to their origin countries or to third countries after they come under fire for allowing more and more refugees from conflict-torn countries to shelter in Indonesia.