Aussie envoy clarifies

Aussie envoy clarifies

Your report Australia supports repatriation of refugees (Nov.
21) states that I supported the plan to halt food aid to the
refugee camps in West Nusa Tenggara. I did not specifically
support this approach. I simply stated the Australian
government's broad support of all reasonable measures to resolve
the situation.

Your report also says that I gave a cheque for $A7 million to
East Nusa Tenggara governor Piet Tallo. This is not the case. I
explained to governor Tallo that the Australian government had
provided a total of $A7.1 million in the past two years to
international agencies and NGOs to assist East Timorese refugees.

I said also that we stand ready to provide further assistance
if required for the repatriation and resettlement of the East
Timorese refugees.

R C SMITH

Ambassador

Australian Embassy

Jakarta