Plans by Boyzone to include Indonesia in a three-week tour of South-East Asia have landed the pop group in hot water with human rights activists and some of its fans. Since Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975, more than 200,000 people have been killed. As a result, human rights groups, led in this State by the East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign, have been pressing for a complete boycott, including a cultural boycott, of Indonesia.
Boyzone leave from Berlin on Sunday to play three concerts in the country, in Bali, Surabaya and Jakarta. However, news of the band's itinerary prompted some of its young fans to write letters asking Ronan, Shane, Mikey, Keith and Steve not to play Indonesia.
Their cause was taken up by the ETISC. Its administrator, Mr Tom Hyland, said Indonesia should be boycotted in the same way the old South Africa was, until the occupation of East Timor is ended.
He contacted Boyzone's manager, Mr Louis Walsh, who explained that the tour dates had already been agreed and the contracts signed. After a number of meeting over the past few weeks, Mr Walsh agreed, however, that two members of Ireland's East Timorese community would fly to Berlin on Saturday for a photocall with the band.
"We're reluctant to get into contact with the band," said Mr Hyland. "But we're hoping something positive will come out of this."
Mr Walsh told The Irish Times he had "no problem" with Boyzone touring Indonesia. "The contracts are all signed and we always stick by our contracts."
Asked whether he was aware of the conflict in East Timor, Mr Walsh said he was. "But everyone plays Indonesia."
When it was pointed out to him that U2 does not play in the country, Mr Walsh responded: "Are you one of those boring activists as well? Because if you are I'm not talking to you". He ended the conversation.
Successive UN resolutions have condemned the Indonesian invasion of East Timor, although the international community has done little up to now to implement them.
