Fretilin speaker’s application not yet received

Press, 15 August 1978, Page 1

Fretilin speaker’s application not yet received

By

CEDRIC MENTIPLAY

The Fretilin independence spokesman, Mr Jose Ramon Horta, has not been refused permission to visit New Zealand — be has not applied. However, a rally of university students and staff in Christchurch yesterdav protested against the Government’s restriction in the freedom of speech.

Inquiries were made by the Campaign for An Independent Timor organisation in Wellington as to possible requirements in the event of an application being made on Kir Horta's behalf.

This occurred during the absence overseas of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Taiboys). The Acting Minister (Mr AdamsSchneider) replied that there would be no problem about his admission, providing he did not make political speeches during his visit.

This has been construed in some quarters as a new line in New Zealand politics, but officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs say that this is not so. Their view is confirmed bv the officers of other Governments. One said: “The New Zealand Government would be fully justified in denying this man entry, in view of the fact that he is an acknowledged political spokesman, and in view of the extreme delicacy of the position in East Timor.” Diplomatically, New Zealand’s attitude towards the Indonesian presence in East Timor has modelled itself on that of the United States and Australia. The island is just north of Western Australia, but there has been no official Australian reaction to the Indonesian movement. This is, in marked contrast to the Australian attitude some years ago when Indonesia took over the former Dutch New Guinea. Then Australia was prepared to fight, and had to be dis-

suaded by other countries, including Britain and New Zealand. About 125 University of Canterbury students and staff held a rally outside the university library yesterday. to protest against what they say is the Government’s intervention in student affairs, and in the freedom of speech. The rally protested against the Government's policy which forbids students coming from southern Africa under a students’ scholarship trust to take part in political activities while in New Zealand, and at its “gagging” of Mr Horta, said the coordinator of the University of Canterbury AntiApartheid Club (Ms B. C. Trainor).

Three speakers addressed the rally, and a resolution was passed in which the students and staff refused to accept the Government’s policy on the South African students. The idea for the rally came from a senior lecturer in the university’s history department (Dr L. Trainor), who approached the Anti-Apartheid Club for support. The Wellington district Methodist synod at its annual meeting at the week-end added its concern to the Government's decision on Mr Horta. The synod unanimously viewed with grave concern the decision of the Government to allow Mr Horta to visit New Zealand only if he avoids making any statement on Fretilin in East Timor.