Mosque home to Timor refugees

Mosque home to Timor refugees

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Eighty-six refugees from East
Timor, who fled their province two months ago, are still being
sheltered at a mosque here.

One of the refugees, Jose da Silva Taneti, said here on Friday
that they left East Timor because of the worsening security
situation in the province.

Antara reported that the first batch of refugees began
arriving in early April.

Taneti said the refugees have no intention of returning to
East Timor until the security situation improves, which he
believes will not occur before the direct ballot slated for Aug.
8.

He predicted that more Timorese would be leaving the province
as the situation worsens.

Those who have fled to Ujungpandang are being given food and
aid by the city administration in cooperation with the local
office of the Ministry of Social Affairs. (mds)