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