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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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