E. Timorese want insurance payments

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: Twenty-seven East Timorese demanded on Wednesday PT Sinar Mas insurance company pay their claims from the unrest in the East Timor capital of Dili following the Aug. 30 self-determination referendum in the territory.

"The incident in Dili, the fires and the destruction of buildings, is a catastrophe. None of us wanted this to happen," Simon Marcelinus, one of the customers, said on Wednesday.

Each customer paid a Rp 40,000 per month insurance premium since Feb. 2 this year, with their coverage due to expire on Feb. 2, 2000. Each of the customers can file claims for up to Rp 40 million.

"We want the insurance company to be fair to us," Simon said.

The company rejected the claims, saying in a letter to the customers dated Sept. 29 that the incident in Dili was "a state of emergency" and therefore not covered, Simon said. (yac/edt)