DATE=7/21/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-H-C-R / TIMOR (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-264654
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations refugee agency, U-N-H-C-R,
says it has closed its office in the West Timor border
town of Betun because of increasing violence and
harassment by pro-Indonesian forces. Lisa Schlein
reports from Geneva.
TEXT: The U-N refugee agency says it closed its
office in Betun on Wednesday after a series of
security incidents made it too dangerous for aid
workers to stay. The agency says the attacks were
instigated by former militia members who oppose the
repatriation of East Timorese refugees.
U-N-H-C-R says that one week ago, former East Timorese
militias beat a refugee and stole the belongings of
some returnees at a border checkpoint outside Betun.
It says 70 Indonesian soldiers just stood by and
watched.
The agency says that earlier last week, ex-militias
stoned the U-N-H-C-R office in Betun, injuring a staff
member and damaging the office and vehicles.
U-N-H-C-R spokesman Ron Redmond says despite the
attacks, the agency has no plans, for now, to pull
out of West Timor.
/// REDMOND ACT ONE ///
We closed the office because of security
problems there -- staff being injured, attacks
on staff, attacks on N-G-Os and others that are
trying to work there as well. So, when security
conditions don't allow us to work, we won't
work. That, so far, has only applied
specifically to Betun. I don't know whether it
would apply elsewhere. But, we've also limited
our activities in three camps around Kupang.
/// END ACT ///
Refugee agency officials met this week with
representatives of other aid agencies to review the
relief activities in West Timor in light of the
increasing security problems. Mr. Redmond says a
senior U-N-H-C-R official has been discussing the
agency's concerns with Indonesian officials and
diplomats in Jakarta and has offered a number of
recommendations.
/// REDMOND ACT TWO ///
He also brought along proposals to resolve the
continuing problems. These problems center on
the maintenance of law and order in the camps,
separation of ex-militia, former soldiers, and
police from the refugees, and clarification of
the status of East Timorese in the Indonesian
army and civil service.
/// END ACT ///
Because of continuing intimidation, the U-N refugee
agency last week called off its plan to register an
estimated 125-thousand East Timorese who now are in
West Timor. Mr. Redmond says the registration is
important in determining how many people want to go
home and is essential in knowing how many people need
assistance in the camps. (Signed)
NEB/LS/JWH/JP
21-Jul-2000 09:29 AM LOC (21-Jul-2000 1329 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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