Town braces for influx of refugees from Timor<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The border town of Atambua in Belu regency, East
\nNusa Tenggara, has prepared a temporary refugee camp with
\ncapacity to shelter 10,000 in anticipation of a larger exodus of
\nmigrants from East Timor's provincial capital of Dili.<\/p>\n
Belu Regent Servatius Pareira said his administration had
\nformed a special team, allocated sufficient rice and emergency
\ncash to anticipate the possibility of an influx which could swell
\nin the next two days.<\/p>\n
In the western part of Timor island, Atambua is about 300
\nkilometers southwest of Dili.<\/p>\n
Speaking in East Nusa Tenggara's provincial capital of Kupang,
\nPareira hoped the facilities would not have to be used.<\/p>\n
Atambua subdistrict chief, Petrus Bria, said 797 refugees from
\nEast Timor -- mostly migrants from Java, West Sumatra, Sulawesi
\nand East Nusa Tenggara -- arrived in Atambua this week.<\/p>\n
About 370 more had arrived in other neighboring subdistricts,
\nhe added.<\/p>\n
The massive exodus of migrants over the past two weeks from
\nDili was sparked by rampant rumors there would be violence
\nagainst migrants tomorrow during the anniversary celebration of
\nEast Timor's integration into Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that several fleeing migrants reported they
\nwere terrorized by mysterious "ninjas" -- gangs of men dressed in
\nblack -- and that native Timorese had advised them to temporarily
\nseek safety in East Nusa Tenggara.<\/p>\n
Udayana Regional Military Chief Maj. Gen. Adam Damiri said
\nyesterday 7,726 people had fled the province in the past two
\nweeks.<\/p>\n
As many as 2,225 of the refugees fled by ship, 1,001 by plane
\nand 4,500 overland across the border, said in Kupang.<\/p>\n
Damiri dismissed reports that civil servants in Dili -- mostly
\nmigrants from Java and other provinces -- had also fled out of
\nfear.<\/p>\n
"Yes, some of them had felt threatened, especially in Dili,
\nbut there were those who had actually made use of the school
\nholidays to take their leave."<\/p>\n
He maintained that those who fled did so in anticipation of a
\nmassive rally to coincide with the arrival of United Nations
\nspecial envoy for East Timor affairs, Jamsheed Marker, which is
\ntentatively scheduled for Friday.<\/p>\n
Damiri said the Armed Forces was doing its utmost to maintain
\nsecurity for all living in East Timor.<\/p>\n
However, the exodus appeared to have subsided yesterday.<\/p>\n
According to Antara, few buses passed through checkpoints at
\nthe East Nusa Tenggara-East Timor border.<\/p>\n
In Dili yesterday, Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo called on
\nMarker and his delegation to postpone their visit to East Timor
\nto reduce the risk of violence.<\/p>\n
"I have called on Ambassador Marker to postpone his visit to
\nEast Timor due to the tense and unfavorable political situation
\nand uncontrollable conflict between pro- and anti-integrationists
\nin the province."<\/p>\n
Demonstrations have been planned by both pro- and anti-
\nintegration supporters to coincide with the visit.<\/p>\n
"It would be better for him to come to the province in
\nSeptember or October. For what would his visit be if it only
\nignites conflict among the East Timorese?" he said.<\/p>\n
Marker and his delegation are to arrive in Jakarta this
\nmorning, and is scheduled to hold talks with President B.J.
\nHabibie and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas.<\/p>\n
A visit by European Union ambassadors to East Timor earlier
\nthis month sparked rallies which descended into bloody
\nclashes. (aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/town-braces-for-influx-of-refugees-from-timor-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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