President Gusmão concerned at border incidents

Dili, Oct. 25 (Lusa) - President Xanana Gusmão is worried at incursions into East Timor and border alterations by Indonesian security forces, but hopes that Jakarta is eradicating possible sources of tension in frontier
areas, an official source said Tuesday.

In comments to Lusa, the source in the Timorese presidency said the most recent border incident took place about a month ago near Batugada in the district if Bobonaro, along the northern border with Indonesian West Timor.

This incident, involving an incursion by an Indonesian military patrol to about 400 meters into Timorese territory, was discussed Monday by Gusmão with Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, Dili's defense and interior ministers
and police and military commanders.

The Indonesian troops then placed border marker posts in Timorese territory, the same Dili source said.

The borders in question were agreed between Dili and Jakarta in a provisional accord signed April during the Timor visit of Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

President Gusmão has already summoned Indonesia's ambassador in Dili, Ahmed Bey who fully understands Timor's concerns over this matter, added the source.

Lusa has learnt that Ambassador Bey plans to visit the border area in question to brief local Indonesian officials on the frontier delineated earlier this year by both governments.

Dili has also expressed its concern in recent weeks over violent incidents and incursions centered on smuggling activity by members of former anti-independence militiamen into its Oecussi enclave in West Timor.

Various official Dili sources have told Lusa that the Timorse government believes the Oecussi border problems have already been overcome.

Meanwhile, Dili diplomatic sources said President Gusmão will use his upcoming trip to Jakarta to discuss all recent border incidents.

The Timorese leaders' trip is being made "in the spirit of bilateral reconciliation" and he will pay a visit to Jakarta's once- notorious Cipinang Jail, where he was imprisoned for several years during the Indonesian occupation of Timor.