A former Indonesian cabinet minister implicated in the deaths of five Australian and British journalists in East Timor in 1975 is remaining defiant in the face of calls for his arrest.
An Australian coroner has issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Yunus Yosfiah after hearing evidence that he was seen shooting at the journalists in the town of Balibo 32 years ago.
Presenter/Interviewer: Linda LoPresti
Speakers: Former Indonesian cabinet minister Mohammed Yunus Yosfiah
Yosfiah: I'm very relaxed, first because I do understand what the case is. Secondly, I know and I have explained many times before that I never met those journalists and the third is how could they ask me to be arrested as an Indonesian. From there, what is the law system?
Lopresti: Indeed, there is no requirement for you to come to Australia to give evidence. But this inquest has heard testimony that you were seen shooting at the five journalists in Balibo, in Ocobter, 1975. What is your reaction?
Yosfiah: I talk many times to some journalists. Please open the file that I have talked many times before to journalists. I don't want to answer many time the same answer to the same question, it come from different sources. I want to suggest to you, can I?
Lopresti: Yes.
Yosfiah: I want you to find out some information about what's the problem in East Timor right now.
Lopresti: Yes, Mr Yosfiah, what is happening in East Timor now is a separate issue to what happened in East Timor in October, 1975. I would like to ask you about what you know about those events?
Yosfiah: It seems to me those people who always talking that they are eyewitness. Actually they have political interest to get protecting, political protection about their case.
Lopresti: Mr Yosfiah, that's another story that we're also following.
Yosfiah: Yes, I know, but may be there some background. Because why, those people are giving information about me. Now they live in Portugal. They live in some in Australia.
Lopresti: Well, the inquest has heard testimony from someone that said that you were shooting at the journalists in 1975. I'm sure you're aware of that.
Yosfiah: I think for that answer, to answer that, please open the file that I answer many times before.
Lopresti: Mr Yosfiah though, are you considering giving evidence to this inquiry in Australia?
Yosfiah: Well, I have said it many times. Please open the file, the whole information that I have released, please.
Lopresti: But, because this warrant of arrest has been issued today. I'm asking you today whether you're considering coming to Australia to give evidence?
Yosfiah: No.
Lopresti: Why is that?
Yosfiah: Why? Because I already give many information according to the Balibo five.
Lopresti: But, why not tell you're side of the story? Why not explain what happened from your point of view?
Yosfiah: I give the information many times about that, even to the Australian ambassador in 1999.
Lopresti: Mr Yosfiah, why do you think your name continues to be mentioned in regard to these killings in Balibo?
Yosfiah: You find the answer for that.