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