NTT urged to protect Timorese

NTT urged to protect Timorese

The United Nations Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) asked
the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) administration on Thursday to
protect East Timorese students studying in Kupang from
intimidation carried out by a group of Timorese refugees.

At least 16 East Timorese students in Kupang complained to
UNTAET that they were often intimidated by pro-Indonesia East
Timorese in West Timor.

UNTAET Ambassador to Indonesia Lakhan Mehrotta sent a letter
to Indonesia's foreign affairs ministry, asking government
authorities to take the concerns of East Timorese students
seriously.

Florencio Mario Viera, spokesman of Uni Timor Aswain, or
Untas, a pro-Indonesia East Timorese organization, denied
allegations that his organization had intimidated Timorese
students in Kupang.

"It is not true that Untas leaders intimidated the students.
If it is true, prove it. Don't make wild accusations," he told
The Jakarta Post.

Florencio assumed that the accusations came from Untaet and
other bodies under the UN because they were afraid of Untas'
influence and power.

"Untas represents a potential threat. UNTAET and the UN are
afraid that East Timor will not be safe while prointegration East
Timorese are still in West Timor," he said. --JP