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Timor Leste to open consulate in Surabaya

Sat, 08/08/2009 1:34 PM  |  The Archipelago

SURABAYA: Timor Leste will open a consulate general in Surabaya next year as many East Timorese lived in East Java, an official said.

After meeting East Java Governor Soekarwo on Friday, Timor Leste delegation chairman Fransisco Jerenomi said there were 2,000 students from Timor Leste studying in universities in the province, especially in Malang and Surabaya.

Fransisco said 22 Timor Leste residents were currently being treated at Darmo and Dr. Soetomo hospitals in Surabaya.

"We asked the governor to take care of the health and education of our citizens."

Soekarwo said Timor Leste hoped to establish an education and health cooperation with the provincial administration.

"But we are still waiting for a memorandum of understanding between Timor Leste, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Health Ministry and the Education Ministry."

He hoped Timor Leste students would not stay in a special dormitory, saying they could rent rooms similar to other students.

"They are safe here. We hope more Timor Leste students will study here. There are many quality universities here," he said. - JP

source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/08/timor-leste-open-consulate-surabaya.html