E. Timor refugees renew demand

E. Timor refugees renew demand

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Eurico Guterres, one of the East
Timorese prointegration leaders, has urged President Megawati
Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz to pay greater
attention to the fate of about 111,000 East Timorese refugees
currently living in various areas, especially in East Nusa
Tenggara.

"East Timorese refugees have experienced unfair treatmeant, as
if they were people from other country," Eurico told The Jakarta
Post here on Friday.

The refugees had so far been given empty promises or even
become the subject of exploitation by various parties in the
country and abroad for their own interests, added Gutteres, who
has just been released from prison.

"We have become sick, so we appeal to Ibu Megawati for
concrete steps," he said, while threatening to bring the refugees
to Jakarta to seek political asylum if no proper attention was
given. (27)