East Nusa Tenggara

East Timorese Foreign Minister: Batek Island Belongs to Indonesia
Thursday, 19 August, 2004 | 09:28 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara:East Timorese foreign minister José Ramos Horta has acknowledged that Batek island, which lies in the north of East Timor’s enclave region, Oecusi, does not belong to East Timor as the island is located outside East Timor’s territories.

Horta made this statement during a closed meeting with 161 Wirasakti Kupang Military chief Col. Inf. Moeswarno Moesanip in Kupang on Wednesday (18/08).

According to Horta, East Timor has no authority over the island as existing official evidence shows that Batek island lies within Indonesia’s territories.

“Horta and the East Timorese government once claimed this island as belonging to East Timor. They even claimed that training held by the Indonesian Navy on the island as a big problem. However, after he had studied the existing documents and evidence, Horta finally admitted that this island does belong to Indonesia,” said Moesanip following the meeting.

Both Horta and Moesanip also discussed the handling of East Timor’s and Indonesia’s border problems.

Both agreed to hold joint security patrols in border areas to prevent smuggling activities and speed up the legal markets near the border areas.

“Basically, the East Timorese government also supports Indonesia’s suggestion to immediately legalize three markets nearby the border areas. This is aimed at preventing the smuggling of goods from Indonesia to East Timor through small streets and routes,” said Moesanip. (Jem’s de Fortuna – Tempo News Room)