Logistics impede E. Timor repatriation

DILI, East Timor (JP): Officials from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stationed here acknowledged on Thursday that a combination of logistical and security problems have slowed down repatriation of East Timor refugees from the western half of Timor island.

UNHCR spokesperson Jacques Fraquin said although more East Timorese continued to return to the territory, concerns over their security during the journey back remained high.

"It's true that we are still worried over the security of the refugees. We are trying not to provoke the militias who will take some action against the refugees," Fraquin told a media conference here.

"There are still some problems and tension due to the presence of the militias. We still have a very limited access to the refugee camps, but we will work slowly but surely," he said.

"We do not want to provoke the militias. We are increasing staff and our presence now is much more visible. In the beginning, we will be working on a low profile basis," he said.

The International Force for East Timor (Interfet) estimates that about 16,000 people have returned to the territory.

Some 260,000 fled East Timor and sought refuge in the neighboring Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara following the violence that erupted after the historic Aug. 30 ballot.

Most of the some 8,000 who returned to Dili live in various makeshift shelters.

The scheduled return by land convoy, which was planned for Friday morning from Atambua in East Nusa Tenggara to Batugade just off the border in East Timor, was postponed for logistical reasons.

Fraquin said they would now instead be ferried to East Timor's capital of Dili from Atapupu in East Nusa Tenggara.

Some 1,000 refugees will be transported back to Dili on two Indonesian ships at 10 a.m. on Friday. They are due to arrive in Dili at 6 p.m., he said.

Meanwhile in Jakarta, the ad interim Humanitarian Coordinator for the East Timor Crisis, Ross Mountain, said the United Nations launched on Thursday a worldwide appeal for US$199 million to fund a nine-month emergency assistance for East Timor refugees.

He said the fund would provide refugees with a safety net of essential services, including shelter, water and sanitation, food and education.

The fund would also start the groundwork for full-scale reconstruction and development.

Facilities on Timor island were 70 percent damaged. Public housing, buildings, along with electricity and water supply facilities were destroyed, he said.

Mountain remarked the Indonesian Military (TNI) had improved cooperation in the past two weeks and the presence of militias were primarily detected at the border.

Back in Dili, Interfet chief Maj. Gen. Peter Cosgrove beseeched Indonesian Military officials on Thursday to hold discussions on border security in the territory.

"I use this opportunity to repeat my invitation to Gen. Damiri," he said, referring to Udayana Military Commander Maj. Gen. Adam Damiri, who oversees the military command in the bordering Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara.

"Please, can we meet? It would be appropriate for us to meet at (the border village of) Motaain because this is an area of significance," he said, adding that the meeting would cover the issue of border security and establish a "cross-border liaison".

Interfet troops clashed with a group of Indonesian security personnel along East Timor's border with East Nusa Tenggara on Oct. 10, which resulted in the death of an Indonesian policeman.

Cosgrove also revealed that Interfet would be replaced by the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor by mid-January. There are just under 10,000 Interfet troops now in East Timor, over half of whom are Australian.

In a related development, visiting Indonesian Military chief Gen. Wiranto in Bangkok urged Thailand on Thursday to join the UN peacekeeping mission for East Timor, due to take over from the Australian-led Interfet next year.

Gen. Wiranto, on a farewell visit to Thailand after a new TNI chief was named in Indonesia's Cabinet, held talks with Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai and Thai army chiefs.

Wiranto said he urged Thailand to join the UN blue helmet operation which was expected to assume control of peacekeeping in the territory early next year.

"I always hope that the Royal Thai Army will contribute peacekeeping forces," he told AFP. (byg/das/04)