Island readied for Timor refugees

Island readied for Timor refugees

JAKARTA: Wetar, an island several kilometers north of East
Timor, is being prepared as a transmigration site in anticipation
of an exodus from the troubled province, transmigration minister
AM Hendropriyono said here on Tuesday.

"The move is in anticipation of the worst situation in East
Timor," he said as quoted by Antara. The minister told a hearing
that transmigrants from East Timor would be resettled to Wetar,
which could accommodate about 20,000 families, if necessary.

He denied the plan was linked to the recent announcement that
the government was considering independence for East Timor should
negotiations for wide-ranging autonomy fail. He only added there
should be anticipation of future developments.

The island is a 15-minute speedboat ride from East Timor.