DATE=9/24/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EAST TIMOR / EXPULSIONS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254289
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Refugee Agency, U-N-H-
C-R, says it has evidence that people in East
Timor have been forcibly expelled. Lisa Schlein
in Geneva reports the agency says interviews with
people in the East Timorese capital, Dili,
indicate, what it calls, an alarming pattern of
well planned forcible removals of East Timorese
to other parts of Indonesia.
TEXT: The United Nations Refugee Agency says
people in East Timor have testified that certain
groups of people were targeted by the militias,
that families were deliberately separated and
members of the same families were sent to
different islands in Indonesia.
The agency says it is too early to know how many
people were affected. But it believes the
numbers are quite substantial. U-N-H-C-R
spokesman, Kris Janowski, says the atmosphere in
Dili is still one of fear and intimidation.
/// JANOWSKI ACT ///
The militias who used to brandish machetes and
guns have now resorted to lower key intimidation.
But it's still difficult. There were attempts to
deport people from Dili even after the
Australians (of the peacekeeping force) arrived.
We alerted the peacekeeping troops to the fact
that they were still trying to push people in
boats and take them away.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Janowski says the Australian peacekeepers
have now secured the port area and are able to
prevent further deportations. He says about 700
East Timorese are under the protection of the
peacekeepers. And only U-N-H-C-R staff has
access to them.
Meanwhile, Mr. Janowski says the relief operation
is gathering momentum. He says nine tons of
plastic sheeting as well as medical kits for 30-
thousand people were airlifted on Friday from
Australia to Dili. And more supplies are being
sent by boat.
Workers from the U-N Refugee Agency and other aid
agencies are heading for West Timor to set up an
operational base. An estimated 150-thousand East
Timorese reportedly have fled or been forcibly
deported to West Timor. Mr. Janowski says it is
absolutely vital that international agencies get
into West Timor.
///2ND JANOWSKI ACT///
The situation there is reported to be indeed grim
with squalid refugee camps, or displaced people
camps run virtually by the militias. The town of
Atambua across the border from East Timor is
described as a wild west town (i.e. out of
control).
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Janowski says international aid workers will
be able to provide some relief and protection to
people in the camps. He says their presence is
also needed to ensure that all those who want to
go back to East Timor will be allowed to do so.
(Signed)
NEB/LS/GE/KL
24-Sep-1999 08:54 AM EDT (24-Sep-1999 1254 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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