DATE=10/13/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EAST TIMOR HOMELESS
NUMBER=2-254959
BYLINE=GARY THOMAS
DATELINE=DILI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: When East Timor voted in August for
independence from Indonesia, the territory was gripped
by violence from marauding pro-Jakarta militias. The
terror caused thousands to flee, either to the
mountains or across the border to Indonesian West
Timor. As Correspondent Gary Thomas reports from the
East Timorese capital, Dili, fear and intimidation are
contributing to a looming humanitarian crisis.
TEXT: Although it has been more than a month since
the days of terror, nearly one-half of East Timor's
population remains unaccounted for and is believed to
be still hiding in fear. Michel Barton of the U-N
Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance, in
Dili, says if you add up the people who left for
neighboring West Timor or beyond, and those who have
returned to their homes, the sum is only about 500-
thousand.
/// ACT BARTON ///
The original population estimate of East Timor
was 890-thousand. Anyway you look at it, there
are still about 400-thousand people who we
presume are still in the mountains. And with
the rains approaching we are becoming
increasingly worried about their condition and
how their condition is going to evolve in the
weeks ahead.
/// END ACT ///
Most of those in hiding are believed to be in mountain
caves with little food and in unsanitary conditions.
Mr. Barton, whose office is responsible for the first
wave of aid, says that points to a looming
humanitarian crisis from possible widespread outbreaks
of diseases such as malaria, cholera, Japanese
encephalitis and dengue fever. He says on Tuesday an
aid helicopter passed over a banner in the mountains
which read -- We are refugees, we need food!
The security situation is still very uncertain in the
countryside, although international peacekeepers are
gradually fanning out. Mr. Barton says aerial surveys
show there was little that was untouched by the
violence -- little left for the people to return to:
/// BARTON ACT ///
Television cannot capture the extent of it. If
you fly by helicopter over the country, you will
see that every town, every village and even tiny
little hamlets have been burned to the ground.
In some cases, 85-90-percent of the towns have
been destroyed. There are town after town where
the only building left standing is the church,
which generally have been left untouched
throughout the country, with a few exceptions.
/// END ACT ///
In addition to the 400-thousand people thought to be
in hiding in East Timor, there are an additional 260-
thousand refugees scattered in West Timor. Mr. Barton
says their return will require the active cooperation
of Indonesia.
/// BARTON ACT ///
Large-scale voluntary return from Indonesian
territory is only feasible with the full
cooperation of Indonesian authorities. We have
received assurances at the highest level that
cooperation is not only forthcoming, but is now
at hand.
///END ACT ///
Mr. Barton says those repatriations can be expected to
pick up pace very soon. People in West Timor will be
returning by sea and by air. (SIGNED)
NEB/GPT/FC/RAE
13-Oct-1999 07:12 AM EDT (13-Oct-1999 1112 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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