E. Timorese resettled in Kalimantan

E. Timorese resettled in Kalimantan

ATAMBUA, East Nusa Tenggara: Some 30 families from East Timor
were transported by sea to their new settlement in South
Kalimantan.

The people are part of some 20,000 East Timorese refugees who
have chosen to remain in Indonesia instead of being repatriated.

Head of the manpower and transmigration agency in Belu
regency, Hendrikus Ganggur, said more East Timorese refugees will
follow suit and will be resettled in Central Kalimantan and on
Sumba island in East Nusa Tenggara.

"They have committed to start a new life while maintaining
national integrity and harmony," Ganggur said,

The refugees mostly came from Bobonaro, Dili and Ermera. Belu
regent Marsellus Bere and other local officials accompanied the
refugees en route to their destination.

Some 250,000 East Timorese fled after a UN-administered
referendum resulted in an overwhelming victory for the pro-
independence camp.

Ganggur said the Belu regency administration expected that
Central Kalimantan could accept more East Timorese refugees.

All refugee camps across East Nusa Tenggara will be closed
down by the end of the year. -- Antara