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