FIVE Indonesian battleships have taken up positions in the Arafuru Sea. They patrol the border with Australia, scrutinizing each passing motorboat. If a boat carrying suspicious persons is found, we will check it out, said Lieutenant Colonel Toni Syaiful, spokesman for the Indonesian Navys Eastern Fleet. Full alert has been in effect since Monday of last week.

The Arafuru Sea has been a favorite route for (Indonesian) Papuans seeking asylum in Au