RI does not agree with Timor Leste on border region

Monday, April 5, 2010 05:58 WIB | National

Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said Indonesia objected to the Timor Leste government`s guide on boundaries at three RI-Timor Leste border points.

"We don`t agree, and are still having negotiations," he said concluding his working visit to the RI-Timor Leste border region on Sunday.

Indonesia and Timor Leste were planning to settle their border problem at 5,000 points, 907 of which had been approved, but only 103 realized.

Of this number, three points are still being discussed with difficulty by the two governments, namely Noel Besi-Citrana, Manusasi and Memo.

Indonesia and Timor Leste still have their differences on the foundation to set the boundaries in the three points. Indonesia is oriented on river flows to the mouth of Noel Besi river, while Timor Leste on the the borderline of the royal region once in existence there.

"So, we have to make further and more comprehensive discussions," Purnomo said.

In his working visit to East Nusa Tenggara, the defense minister was in the company of Udaya Division chief Major General Hotma Mangaraja Pandjaitan, Wirasakti military chief Colonel Dody, Defense Strategy Director General Major General Syarifuddin Tippe, and Defense Planning Director General Rar Admiral Gunadi.

Purnomo also made an aerial inspection of the RI-Timor Leste sea boundary from an army Mi-17 helicopter from an altitude of 3,000 meters. He observed three land conflicting points of the RI-Timor Leste border and the existence of outermost islands in the sea border areas of the two countries, including Batek island.

Purnomo also saw the immigration post set up by the Timor Leste government in Noel Besi still in conflict with Indonesia.

"This is only one violation committed by Timor Leste, because the three still conflicting points must remain free of any activities of the two countries," Hotma Mangaraja Pandjaitan pointed out.

Despite the differences of view between the two sides, security in the border regions of the two countries were still good. Colonel Dody Usodo, as well as Timor Leste National Police Border Commander at the RI-Timor Leste land border main gate at Mota`ain, Atambua, Lt Colonel Nano, said the same thing. (*)

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