DATE=9/6/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RED CROSS / EAST TIMOR (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253515
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The International Committee of the Red Cross,
I-C-R-C, says it has evacuated its staff from East
Timor to Australia. The move follows the storming of
its compound in the capital, Dili, by armed militia
opposed to independence for the territory. Lisa
Schlein in Geneva reports the Red Cross says thousands
of East Timorese are fleeing to the Western part of
the island to escape worsening violence in the former
Portuguese colony.
TEXT: The Red Cross reports armed militia broke into
its compound in Dili (Monday) and forced 11 of its
foreign staff, at gunpoint, to leave the premises.
Red Cross Spokesman, Chris Bowers says the Agency is
extremely concerned about the fate of two-thousand
East Timorese who sought refuge at the compound during
the past few days. Among them are an estimated 200
local Red Cross workers.
Mr. Bowers says the two-thousand Timorese had fled
violence directed at them by the militia and sought
refuge under the Red Cross emblem.
/// BOWERS ACT ///
The militias sacked our compound and destroyed
most of it. So, we have also taken up our deep
regrets, our profound regrets about these events
with the Indonesian authorities. Particularly
because we had asked for assurances, security
assurances, beforehand, and we had been given
them. It seems that they are worthless.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Bowers says the 11 Red Cross staff members have
been evacuated to Australia. He says they are
physically unharmed, but mentally shaken from the
harrowing experience they endured.
Mr. Bowers says the Red Cross is very worried about
the people of East Timor and wants to return as
quickly as possible to provide them with humanitarian
assistance. But, he says this will not be possible
until the Indonesian authorities provide Red Cross
delegates with guarantees of security.
He says the Agency is turning its focus on the
thousands of East Timorese who have fled to the
Western part of the island.
/// BOWERS ACT ///
The people are coming out at a rate of about
one-thousand an hour since the beginning of
today over in East Timor. We do not yet have a
running total. But we have a small medical post
and some emergency stockpile of materials there.
Of course, it is only going to be a matter of
time before that is overrun, particularly if the
rate continues at the current speed.
/// END ACT ///
Red Cross spokesman Bowers says there is an immediate
need for medical supplies and food assistance. He
says the Agency probably will be sending more relief
supplies into West Timor in the coming days.
(SIGNED)
NEB/LS/GE
06-Sep-1999 11:47 AM LOC (06-Sep-1999 1547 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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