DATE=9/21/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDONESIA / U-N (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254154
BYLINE=JEANNE HALLACY
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
/// Re-issuing to correct CR number ///
INTRO: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Sadako Ogata has completed a three-day visit to Indonesia,
where she toured refugee camps in West Timor and met with
Indonesian leaders. Before leaving Indonesia (on Tuesday)
Ms. Ogata spoke with reporters about the situation in Timor
and the role the United Nations will play. Jeanne Hallacy
has a report from Jakarta on the visit.
TEXT: Ms Sadako Ogata told reporters the UNCHR plans to
open field offices in West Timor. She said a team of six
emergency experts will soon be sent to Timor to begin
assessing the needs of the refugees. She said the
Indonesian government has assured her that the refugees
from East Timor who fled the territory will be allowed to
return home and that security will be maintained for
international relief efforts.
/// FIRST OGATA ACT ///
In order to carry out the kind of operations that I have
promised, there has to be security assurance and full and
independent access to all the refugees. I have been
assured by the authorities that my request will be
fulfilled.
/// END ACT ///
Mrs. Ogata acknowledged reports that members of the
militias that carried out acts of violence in East Timor
continue to control areas in West Timor and are
intimidating refugees there. She said a U-N team will go
to West Timor to interview refugees to learn if they were
forced to leave East Timor and to ensure they are aware
that they can remain in West Timor or return home. But she
made clear that there are still a lot of questions about
what is happening in West Timor.
/// 2nd OGATA ACT ///
Nobody has had full access to the whole West Timor area.
We've had a lot of reports - all the reports are very
worrying. This is why I have said the whole East Timor West
Timor situation is of great concern to us.
/// END ACT ///
Mrs. Ogata emphasized that much of what the United Nations
will be able to do in Timor will depend on the cooperation
it gets from Indonesian authorities.
/// 3rd OGATA ACT ///
I think there has been some progress since I arrived
through our negotiations and assurance for the possibility
of our operations. I think the test of whatever I have
been able to achieve will be what happens on the ground.
And I really trust that Indonesia will live up to the
international commitments that they have stated and have
given to me.
/// END ACT ///
The UNHCR will conduct a public information campaign
through local media to brief refugees in West Timor on the
free and voluntary offer of return to East Timor. The High
Commissioner said that her office has made an appeal to the
international community for $7 million dollars to begin
operations in the area. (Signed)
NEB/JH/KL
21-Sep-1999 14:08 PM EDT (21-Sep-1999 1808 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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