DATE=9/8/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDONESIA / TIMOR / U-N (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-266265
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
/// RE-RUNNING FOR AVSTAR SYSTEM ///
INTRO: The United Nations has evacuated more than 390
staff and other humanitarian workers from West Timor
following the murder of three U-N workers on
Wednesday. Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports more than
80 local staff and dependents were flown from the West
Timorese capital, Kupang to Bali on Friday and another
14 reached East Timor by an overland route.
TEXT: The United Nations Refugee Agency, U-N-H-C-R,
says it has received unconfirmed reports of marauding
militiamen carrying out attacks on civilians in West
Timor. U-N-H-C-R spokesman, Ron Redmond says the
militiamen reportedly are attacking people who have
any sort of connection with international aid
agencies. He says this is causing grave concern and
the United Nations is trying to get many of these
vulnerable civilians and their families out of West
Timor.
Mr. Redmond says it is premature for U-N agencies to
consider resuming work in West Timor. He says the
United Nations main concern right now is to help its
severely traumatized staff recover from the recent
events.
///REDMOND ACT///
From there we'll look at the future. But, right
now we're just trying to deal with this horrible
situation we're confronted with as far as the
safety and security of our own staff. The
future, I don't know. But, I think it's going
to be not when, but if (they resume work in West
Timor).
///END ACT///
On Wednesday, militiamen stormed a U-N-H-C-R office in
the West Timorese border town of Atambua killing three
international staff from Puerto Rico, Croatia and
Ethiopia. Indonesian security forces stood by as the
mob burned the office, murdered the men and seriously
injured several others.
Mr. Redmond says the U-N-H-C-R no longer will accept
verbal assurances of safety from the Indonesian
authorities. He says the government must act
forcefully to bring the militia under control. He
adds the agency is very concerned about the fate of
some 120-thousand East Timorese refugees who now are
left on their own in camps in West Timor.
///2ND REDMOND ACT///
The Indonesians themselves have been running
those camps, the government. The food
assistance - the majority of the food assistance
that is provided - comes from the government so
these people will continue to receive food. We
would certainly hope that the government will
ensure that there is security for these people
still in the camps.
///END ACT///
But, Mr. Redmond notes that the refugees will not be
receiving other services such as sanitation, medical
care and extra feeding for the sick which, until now,
have been provided by foreign aid workers. (Signed)
NEB/LS/GE/KBK
08-Sep-2000 09:44 AM EDT (08-Sep-2000 1344 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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