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