Wednesday 13 October 2010

East Timor President gives Green Light to Refugees Processing Centre While Parliament Still Firm to Reject

Tempo Semanal-Dili, 13.10.2010
Australia's immigration minister held talks on Tuesday with East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta, who says his country is ready to host a processing facility on humanitarian grounds.

Australian PM’s Proposal for a Refugees Processing Centre came to East Timor President by a phone call in july this year, amid a raging political debate in Australia over how to deal with a sharp increase in the number of asylum seekers arriving by boat in Australian waters.
President Ramos-Horta has dismissed reports of widespread domestic opposition to the proposals, saying people will agree once he explains to them. Horta also plan to brief the Church leaders and NGO’s.
Chris Bowen also met with East Timor parliament Speaker, Fernando Lasama de Araujo and the parties leader seat in parliament leaders. On July East Timor Parliament unanimously vote to block the refugees processing centre.
While Secretary General of Fretilin Party, DR. Mari Alkatiri said he is agreed to meet with Australian Immigration Minister but his party is fully support East Timor Parliament resolution to reject the Proposal for refugees Centre on East Timor soil.

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