Indonesian police have detained more than 60 boat people
heading towards Australia in the first clear sign of co-operation
with Australian authorities since the flood of illegal immigrants
began late last year.
The Indonesian newsagency Antara reported that the people, who
claim Iraqi and Iranian nationality, were found stranded on Roti
Island, 50km from Kupang in West Timor, after their boat broke down.
They had been heading for Ashmore Reef, in Australian territory,
where they planned to claim asylum.
Indonesian police, who picked them up on February 15, accused the
group of illegally entering Indonesian territory.
Indonesia had done little to prevent the growing tide of people
using Indonesia as a stop-over on their way to Australia. Would-be
migrants pay large sums of money to brokers who supply them with
unreliable boats for the journey to Ashmore Reef in the Timor Sea.
The Indonesian Government's action with the latest group
indicates it is serious about improving relations with Australia.
President Abdurrahman Wahid dismissed illegal immigration last
year as Australia's problem. But when he met the Minister for
Foreign Affairs, Mr Alexander Downer, last month he agreed that
Indonesia would help.
