The reason for this stand. according to a March 8 article from the Sydney Morning Herald. is "Jakartas continuing anger over the credence given by Australian Catholic Relief to Monsignor da Costa Lopess letter" which the Indonesian Government "claims was mischievous and false." But Monsignor Lopes apparently had good reason to worry about the food situation. not to mention the human rights situation in general. The Far Eastern Economic Review reported on March 19 that "some observers are concerPed that food shortages may develop and that Indnnesias angry reaction to international criticism of its East Timor policy may hinder relief activities." and added that relief agencies want some form of relief work to continue in East Timor but that "Jakarta has been reluctant to admit there is such a need." The Indonesian Government is also most reluctant to admit that many thousands of East Timorese want to leave their homeland because of the existing situation on the island. There are hundreds of people who have been approved for immigration to Australia or Portugal but have been prevented from doing so. The London Times. in a February 24 editorial. notes recent reports of atrocities committed by Indonesian forces again . .he East Timorese. and states that. "If this was the situation after six years it is no longer tenable to argue that the Indonesian fait accompli has to be accepted in the interests of peace and stability." I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. and believe that a just political solution in accordance with international law is the only viable solution to this tragedy. And I believe that it is in Indonesias longterm interests to agree to such a just solution.
Keywords matched
immigration