Japan upset over undistributed aid

Japan upset over undistributed aid

JAKARTA: Yasuhiro Sagata, an envoy of the Japanese Foreign
Affairs Ministry met East Nusa Tenggara Governor Piet A. Tallo to
question the whereabouts of the Japanese government's Rp 53
billion (about US$6 million) in financial assistance for East
Timorese refugees.

During the meeting, Sagata explained that he was sent directly
by his government to ask why the financial assistance that was
sent three months ago had yet to be disbursed to the refugees.

He cited that during the difficult economic situation, the
Japanese government was obliged to be completely accountable for
its foreign assistance and to be transparent with its taxpaying
public.

The head of the local social affairs office said that the
financial assistance was granted not only to help refugees but
also to empower the local people in West Timor.

Also attending the meeting was Robert White, representative of
the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in
Jakarta.

Sagata's mission comes after the refugees held a protest rally
at the provincial administration to complain about the
undisbursed Japanese government aid.

Stanis Tefa, an official at the provincial administration
claimed recently that the funds were being held up by the central
government. --JP