The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Fred Eckhard, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
Good afternoon.
**UNHCR Suspends Aid Work in West Timor after Attack on UN Staff
We'll start with East Timor. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today suspended aid operations for East Timorese refugees in West Timor. The decision was taken after three UNHCR staffers were severely injured in the worst attack so far against UNHCR personnel working in West Timor.
The attack happened last night while the three were distributing plastic sheeting at the Naen refugee camp, 130 kilometres east of the provincial capital, Kupang. They were beaten up by militia armed with machetes, clubs and stones -- one of the United Nations staff had his head held under water in a rice paddy until he choked. All three suffered severe injuries, requiring hospital treatment.
Indonesian Army officials in the area failed to respond immediately to the incident, considered by UNHCR as the worst of more than 100 recorded cases of harassment and intimidation against aid workers and refugees since last September. A senior UNHCR official is proceeding to Kupang to conduct an investigation into the incident with Indonesian authorities. In the meantime, UNHCR assistance activities in the camps will remain suspended.
Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees, Soren Jessen-Petersen, said in Geneva that "it is regrettable that the militias are allowed to operate with impunity and make a mockery of statements by responsible officials in Jakarta guaranteeing security for aid workers and refugees".
Today in Dili, the East Timorese capital, a senior Indonesian delegation met with the Special Representative, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and told him that the refugee camps in West Timor will be closed down within three to six months, in coordination with the United Nations.
Mr. Vieira de Mello welcomed the initiative to expedite voluntary repatriation or resettlement of the thousands of refugees still in West Timor. However, he stressed the need for greater security for the refugees and humanitarian workers, as illustrated by the recent attack on UNHCR workers. He also said that militia and criminal elements must be separated from the refugee population.
Daily Press Briefing - 2 - 23 August 2000
For more details, you can pick up copies of the UNHCR press release, which is available in my office.
**Questions and Answers
Question: I've read Associated Press reports about a new law in Indonesia barring the retroactive prosecution of the army for human rights violations. How will that law affect the discussions of the criminal court that's being envisioned for East Timor?
Spokesman: When this process of the Indonesian internal review of the excesses of the military and the militia in East Timor began, the Secretary-General's position was that we should let Indonesia deal with it. When the Secretary-General visited Indonesia, he met with the Attorney General -- previously a human rights activist in the country -- and was convinced that he had good credibility and that a serious and credible investigation would be undertaken. We'll have to see what happens with this idea for amnesty. If it were to go forward, however, I think that it would probably force us to reconsider our position concerning the need for an international investigation.
Question: If I read the article correctly this isn't just an "idea", it's a law that's already been passed by the Indonesian Parliament.
Spokesman: As I say, should amnesty be granted, I think that would force the United Nations to reconsider an international investigation for these abuses.
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