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Indonesia Rejects Proposal for "Detention Center"for Illegal Immigrants
Indonesia has rejected a proposal by the Australian government to set up a shelter or " detention center" for illegal immigrants here, Defense Minister Matori Abdul Djalil said.
"If Australia wants to help build roads, bridges and school buildings here, that would be fine. But not a 'detention center'," Matori told reporters after accompanying Vice President Hamzah Haz in a meeting with three visiting Australian ministers at the vice presidential office on Friday.
The three visiting Australian ministers are Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, Defense Minister Peter Reith and Immigration Minister Phillip Ruddock.
The establishment of a detention center for illegal immigrants was proposed by Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Thursday.
Matori said Indonesia and Australia had come to an agreement on the handling of international networks on people-smuggling and terrorism.
"We are discussing efforts to deal with illegal immigrants. But we should agreed that a 'detention center' is not necessary," he was quoted by the Jakarta Post.com online news service as saying.
"Indonesia cannot set up such a center while observing its security, social and political impacts on the people and the government," Matori added.
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