Antara - The Indonesian National News Agency

October 2, 2002

GOV'T URGED TO OPEN CONSULATE IN OECUSSE

Atambua, E Nusa Tenggara, Oct 2 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government should open a consulate in Oecusse, East Timor to facilitate the entry of East Timorese to Indonesia, the head of the immigration office here said on Wednesday.

"I have proposed this to the directorate general for immigration. Hopefully, it would be done in the near future," Iwan Delano Marsel Siwy said.

Iwan said East Timorese living in Oecusse have to pay US$50 to the border posts in Napan and Wini in Timor Tengah Utara district in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province before entering the district.

This is imposed on East Timorese who wish to enter Indonesia without the Temporary Travel Document (TTD) issued by the Indonesian interest section in Dili, East Timor, he said.

"They have a choice -- either they get the document from Dili by paying US $ 30 or they pay US $ 50 on the site -- so long as there is no consulate in Oecusse," he said.

He also confirmed that the governments of Indonesia and East Timor are discussing immigration concerns at the border area.

East Timor separated from Indonesia through a United Nations-sponsored ballot in August 1999.

The former Indonesian province gained full independence last May.