E. Timor refugees could be home for Christmas: UN<\/p>\n
DILI, East Timor (AP): Many of the East Timorese refugees
\nstill living in camps in West Timor could be home by Christmas,
\nthe United nation's refugee agency predicted on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\"We are convinced that very soon, possibly before Christmas,
\nwe could see substantial numbers of people ... return to this
\nshattered nation and take part in its reconstruction,\" said the
\nagency's operational chief in Dili, Bernard Kerblat.<\/p>\n
The United Nations estimates that up to 120,000 East Timorese
\nrefugees remain in the camps, which sprung up throughout
\nIndonesian West Timor to accommodate people fleeing a frenzy of
\nviolence and destruction by militias -- backed by some sections
\nof the Indonesian military -- opposed to Timor's vote for
\nindependence in August, 1999.<\/p>\n
So far 172,000 refugees have returned to their former home,
\nbut the flow of people across the border is now a trickle.<\/p>\n
\"At this current rate, let's be honest, it would take us 15
\nyears to empty the camps, but if there is goodwill there will be
\na solution,\" said Kerblat.<\/p>\n
He said the biggest obstacle for potential returnees was a
\npropaganda campaign by some militia and pro-autonomy leaders
\nseeking to convince refugees it was too dangerous to return.<\/p>\n
The United Nations has been unable to counter the claims since
\nall its workers fled the province after three of their colleagues
\nwere slain by militiamen in September.<\/p>\n
It was possible that infiltrators into East Timor are sending
\nfalse information back to West Timor to keep the refugees in the
\ncamps, Kerblat said.<\/p>\n
\"They are people who are opportunists who ... most likely
\nderive personal benefit from the current stalemate,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Kerblat denied claims by militia leader Joanico Cesario Belo,
\nwho lives in West Timor with 6,000 of his followers, that
\nrefugees were systematically beaten up on their return to East
\nTimor.<\/p>\n
However, he admitted that a former member of the Indonesian
\nmilitary's civilian service was beaten when he arrived home.<\/p>\n
\"There was a returnee who was mishandled by members of the
\ncommunity and that was quickly diffused. There were a few punches
\nwhen the gentleman arrived in the village,\" said Kerblat.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/e-timor-refugees-could-be-home-for-christmas-un-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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