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DATE=10/8/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EAST TIMOR REFUGEES RETURN
NUMBER=2-254787
BYLINE=AMY BICKERS
DATELINE=HONG KONG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Some of the East Timorese refugees who fled 
violence in their home areas to seek refuge in West 
Timor are returning, on aid flights sponsored by the 
United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Amy 
Bickers spoke with U-N-H-C-R spokesman Jacques 
Franquin about the operation and what the refugees can 
expect when they return home.   
 TEXT: Two planeloads of East Timorese refugees who 
were living in camps in West Timor returned to their 
home neighborhoods Friday. They are the first of 
thousands of refugees to go back on a U-N charted 
plane making two roundtrips between Kupang, West Timor 
and Dili, the capital of East Timor. 
The refugees fled after pro-Indonesia militias went on 
a bloody rampage following an August East Timorese 
referendum, which showed strong support for 
independence from Indonesia. The militias and elements 
of the Indonesian military forcibly sent many refugees 
to West Timor.   
Jacques Franquin -- spokesman for the U-N-H-C-R -- 
says passengers for Friday's two flights were chosen 
because they live in Dili, most of which has been 
secured by international peacekeepers.
            ///FRANQUIN ACTUALITY ///
People who were selected in the first batch coming 
back are selected because they come from Dili and 
people are chosen because they have been split from 
their family and want to join their family. 
            /// END ACTUALITY ///
The refugees who left the camps Friday have been 
living in poor conditions, with no safe water or 
sanitation. And, many of them are returning to homes 
that have been destroyed by retreating militias. 
Mr. Franquin says many East Timorese now in Dili, as 
well as those returning, lack basic supplies.
            /// FRANQUIN ACTUALITY ///
What we are doing is to provide assistance to people- 
plastic sheeting, blankets, jerry cans (vessel for 
carrying water), trying to repair the water system and 
to bring water to people so they can survive in this 
situation. We are not in a situation now to go further 
in terms of repairing and fixing houses. There is 
absolutely no possibility at this stage. 
            /// END ACTUALITY ///
The U-N-H-C-R plans to begin daily flights Monday from 
Kupang to Dili, and also hopes to eventually 
repatriate refugees by sea and road. Mr. Franquin says 
roads remain too dangerous, because the border area 
remains under militia control. (Signed) 
NEB/AB/ wd
08-Oct-1999 00:54 AM EDT (08-Oct-1999 0454 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.