DATE=6/30/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-H-C-R / TIMOR (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263937
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Refugee Agency,
U-N-H-C-R, says it hopes to wrap up the
repatriation of an estimated 100-thousand East
Timorese refugees from camps in West Timor by the
end of this year. Lisa Schlein has this report
from Geneva.
TEXT: The United Nations Refugee Agency says
completing the repatriation of East Timorese
refugees only will be possible if it receives
nearly 21-million dollars from a special appeal
it has just launched. U-N-H-C-R spokesman Ron
Redmond says money from the appeal will be used
to promote the continuing voluntary repatriation
of East Timorese refugees, mainly from West
Timor.
Mr. Redmond says the money will provide
assistance to the refugees and be used for
resettlement and reintegration projects in the
two territories.
/// 1st REDMOND ACT ///
We stressed to donors that our ability to
phase down activities in both East and West
Timor significantly by the middle of this
year will largely depend on the
availability of funds to implement programs
in the second half of this year. And,
that's what this appeal is aimed at.
/// END ACT ///
About one-quarter million East Timorese fled to
the western part of the island to escape the
violence that erupted after last year's pro-
independence referendum. Since the U-N began its
repatriation operation in October, an estimated
160-thousand East Timorese refugees have been
helped to go home. Mr. Redmond says the U-N
hopes to begin registering the remaining 100-
thousand refugees next week.
The U-N Refugee Agency suspended its operations
in three major camps near West Timor's capital,
Kupang, last week. This followed two incidents
in which refugees and U-N-H-C-R staff were
assaulted. Mr. Redmond says on Thursday, the
agency gave the West Timor governor a package of
measures to ensure security of aid workers in the
camps.
/// 2ND REDMOND ACT ///
This includes an increased presence of police and
military in the camps and for police to take
primary responsibility for camp security. We are
awaiting a final approval of these measures from
the governor. And, depending on the outcome of a
meeting we hope to have with them on Monday, we
hope to resume work in the three major camps in
West Timor that were suspended.
/// END ACT ///
The U-N refugee agency repeatedly has urged
Indonesian authorities to improve security in the
camps and to control militia members, whom it
accuses of intimidating and harassing refugees
and aid workers. (Signed)
NEB/LS/GE/WTW
30-Jun-2000 10:17 AM EDT (30-Jun-2000 1417 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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