EAST TIMORESE AMP'S EXPRESS OPPOSITION TO ASYLUM PLANS

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Arsénio Bano

Sara Everingham, Dili - ABC RADIO AUSTRALIA NEWS

There's growing opposition among East Timorese politicians, to a proposal by Australia's prime minister Julia Gillard's to process asylum seekers in the country.

Asenio Bano, the vice president of East Timor's main opposition party, Fretilin, says East Timor is still trying to deal with many of its own problems, and isn't ready to host a processing centre for asylum seekers

"I don't believe it is a good time. I think Timor should reject the proposal simply because there is no condition in Timor to do that," he said.

"Economic and social condition - we are one of the poorest country in the region."

"I think the question is whether Timor wants to be a processing centre, or another type of Pacific solution. I don't think it's appropriate Timor"

Aderito Hugo da Costa, an MP and member of Xanana Gusmao's party, says an offer of financial assistance from Australia wouldn't change his opposition to the idea.

"Money is not the point the issue is time how we have time to look at others' problems rather than our own people's problems, which are still very serious."

Asenio Bano has also expressed concern a processing centre could even inflame social tensions in East Timor.

"We have not established any social welfare as other countries have...and if we want to decide to accept any refugees in Timor, we have to be able to offer the same level of services we offer to Timorese people."

Julia Gillard has discussed her proposal with East Timor's President Jose Ramos-Horta but she hasn't spoken with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

Jose Belo the editor of the east Timorese newspaper Tempo Seminal says that was a mistake.

"They thought that the president was the one who was going to make the decision. It's wrong, it's the executive right of the government to make a decision."

President Ramos Horta has said he'll have an open mind about the proposal - although analysts say he doesn't have the constitutional power to make decisions on the matter

But prime minister Xanana Gusmao is likely to prove a tougher audience for Julia Gillard.

In recent months he's expressed discontent with Australia on a number of fronts. And his push to have gas from the Timor Sea piped to East Timor to be processed onshore has been frustrated.
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