ID :
88144
Fri, 11/06/2009 - 03:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/88144
The shortlink copeid
RI ALREADY FULFILLED COMMITMENT ON SRI LANKAN IMMIGRANTS
Tanjungpinang, Indonesia, Nov 5 (ANTARA) - Indonesia has already realized its commitment with regard to the handling of illegal immigrants from Sri Lanka, a foreign ministry official said.
"Tell the Australian government that the Indonesian government is committed to helping the handling of Sri Lankan immigrants," the director of diplomatic security, Sujatmiko, said to newsmen in Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands, on Thursday.
He said proof that the Indonesian government had realized its commitment was that it had given a permit for the Australian-flagged Oceanic Viking carrying the immigrants to drop anchor in Cempedak Island waters in Bintan, Riau Islands.
"The foreign ministry and the military (TNI) headquarters have given a permit for the Oceanic Viking to drop anchor for around 13 days," he said.
He said the Indonesian government had also already provided the immigration detention center in Riau Islands to accommodate the 78 immigrants on the boat but the immigrants had refused to stay there because their destination was Australia.
"The Indonesian government has been patient enough to help the Australian government as a realization of its committment to the Australian government," he said.
The Indonesian government has also established a taskforce to handle the problem involving health and immigration officials but the Sri Lankan immigrants have refused to stay in Indonesia and have their health checked.
"They feel they are healthy and want to live in Australia," he said.
Sujatmiko said the permit for the Oceanic Viking to drop anchor would expire at 12pm on Friday, November 6. "I do not know if it will be extended or not," he said.***
"Tell the Australian government that the Indonesian government is committed to helping the handling of Sri Lankan immigrants," the director of diplomatic security, Sujatmiko, said to newsmen in Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands, on Thursday.
He said proof that the Indonesian government had realized its commitment was that it had given a permit for the Australian-flagged Oceanic Viking carrying the immigrants to drop anchor in Cempedak Island waters in Bintan, Riau Islands.
"The foreign ministry and the military (TNI) headquarters have given a permit for the Oceanic Viking to drop anchor for around 13 days," he said.
He said the Indonesian government had also already provided the immigration detention center in Riau Islands to accommodate the 78 immigrants on the boat but the immigrants had refused to stay there because their destination was Australia.
"The Indonesian government has been patient enough to help the Australian government as a realization of its committment to the Australian government," he said.
The Indonesian government has also established a taskforce to handle the problem involving health and immigration officials but the Sri Lankan immigrants have refused to stay in Indonesia and have their health checked.
"They feel they are healthy and want to live in Australia," he said.
Sujatmiko said the permit for the Oceanic Viking to drop anchor would expire at 12pm on Friday, November 6. "I do not know if it will be extended or not," he said.***
