Gusmao ends visit to NTT, promises help for refugees

Agencies, Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara

East Timorese President Xanana Gusmao ended his four-day visit to East Nusa Tenggara on Monday with a promise to seek practical ways to help Indonesia resolve the problem of the East Timorese refugees in the province.

"We have examined the problem and see practical means that could be pursued to resolve it," he was quoted as saying by Antara at the border town of Mota'ain in the Indonesian district of Belu, minutes before ending his visit.

He said the refugee problem couldn't be allowed to become a prolonged burden for the people of East Nusa Tenggara.

He did not disclose what the practical means he had in mind were. Xanana returned to East Timor by car.

Earlier in Atambua, Gusmao repeated his promise to guarantee the safety of his pro-Indonesia countrymen who wished to return home.

"We will continue to try to provide security guarantees in every village. If you decide to return home, there could be a few profanities but there won't be any beatings or even killings," Gusmao told some 4,000 refugees who packed a football stadium in Atambua.

"We will do our best to provide for your safety and we will also ensure that the East Timorese will not harbor thoughts of vengeance," Gusmao was quoted by AFP as saying.

A press release from Gusmao's office has described his visit as a final attempt to convince the remaining 30,000 or so refugees in West Timor that they have until December 31 to return to East Timor with help from international organizations.

Those agencies will cease their returnee assistance program on January 1, 2003 and the Indonesian government has announced that its own assistance will also end.

The East Timorese who decide to stay in Indonesia after that date will no longer be considered refugees.

Gusmao told the crowd it was their decision whether to return home or to stay in Indonesia but the former rebel leader said: "If you decide to stay in West Timor, it will become a very heavy burden for the people and the government of Indonesia."

The former commander of the pro-Indonesia militia, Joao Tavares, also attended the rally, witnesses said.

Gusmao was due to meet with some 1,000 other refugees in the border town of Mota'ain before returning to Dili.

More than 250,000 East Timorese fled or were forced from their homeland into West Timor after the Indonesian military and the militia proxies they created carried out a scorched-earth policy after the August 1999 UN-sponsored ballot in which East Timor voted to secede.

The UN's refugee agency estimates that 30,000 refugees remain in West Timor. Most are former militia, military, police and government officials, and their dependents.

In July, Gusmao received the red carpet treatment when he made his first visit to Indonesia since his country became independent on May 20 after 31 months of UN stewardship.

East Timor's independence is still considered an affront by parts of the Indonesian military.