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)