Timor Leste Citizens Checked Selectively
Monday, 19 June, 2006 | 14:59 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The government has started checking Timor Leste citizens who are going to cross the borders into Indonesian.

“Timor Leste citizens who want to cross the border must obtain visas from the Republic of Indonesia Embassy,” said Rear Admiral Mohamad Sunarto, spokesperson for the Indonesian Military (TNI) Headquarters when contacted yesterday (18/6).

According to him, the four border gates between Indonesia and Timor Leste have been opened.

These are located in Motaain, Motomasin, and Ekuin.

“There are two gates in Ekuin, in Wini and Napanbawah,” he said.

The gates, said Sunarto, are the legal border entrances, adding that actually there are 59 security posts, but only four legal entrances.

In the meeting between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Timor Leste’s President Xanana Gusmao in Bali, it was agreed that the borders be opened selectively.

The purpose of this is that logistics and economic traffic go well.

Sunarto said, what is meant by ‘selectively’ is checking all foreigners who want to cross the border.

“The incoming foreigners are checked thoroughly to prevent them from carrying prohibited goods,” said Sunarto.

According to him, the opening of the gates is for the economic interests of the Timor Leste people.

Rieka Rahadiana