No leave for troops near E. Timor

No leave for troops near E. Timor

ATAMBUA, East Nusa Tenggara: A total of 1,500 Indonesian
Military (TNI) troops remained on duty to guard the border with
East Timor during the Idul Fitri holiday.

The soldiers returned to their posts after performing the Idul
Fitri prayer, the commander for Indonesia-East Timor border
security, Col. Joko Setiyono, said.

Joko told visiting Kupang Bishop Anton Pain Ratu the troops
were divided into three battalions and placed in the northern and
southern parts of Belu regency and in North Timor Tengah regency.

Soldiers were given permission to go to the Belu capital of
Atambua or the North Timor Tengah capital of Kefamenanu to
telephone their families and wish them a happy holiday, Joko
said.

No soldiers are given leave or allowed to receive family
members during their posting along the border.

The bishop said he could understand the psychological pressure
on the soldiers.

"We understand their situation. It is no wonder that
sometimes they are stressed and frustrated because they must be
separated from their families for long periods," he said.

Pain Ratu suggested the TNI rotate the soldiers on border duty
every three months. -- Antara