Preparations for exodus continue in East Timor

JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of trucks have in recent weeks been making repeated trips between East Timor and neighboring East Nusa Tenggara on the western half of the island, transporting household goods belonging to people preparing to evacuate the territory.

The trucks frequently stop at Batugade city in border regency Bobonaro, 138 kilometer west of Dili, the capital of East Timor. The Military Police chief in Bobonaro, Second Sgt. Supendi, said on Saturday that over the past week traffic had increased to as much as 50 trucks per day.

Antara reported that 26 trucks left Dili on Saturday afternoon bound for East Nusa Tenggara cities of Atambua, Soe, Kefamenanu and Kupang. Earlier in the month, an average of 15 trucks made the trip each day.

A Dili resident said he paid Rp 600,000 for a truck to carry his belongings to Kupang. "I will still return to Dili, until the government says East Timor is to be released, then I'll move permanently," he said.

Meanwhile, Belu administration official Petrus Baluta Letor in East Nusa Tenggara said his regency was making preparations to receive refugees from East Timor.

Atambua administration has received 55 families -- 187 people -- from East Timor who had evacuated the troubled territory. The city administration was constructing shelters designed to accommodate 5,000 people.

Between Saturday and Monday, 95 resettlers left Covalima and Maliana regencies in East Timor. They were expected to make a stopover in Atambua before proceeding to Kupang, the capital of East Nusa Tenggara, and on to Denpasar in Bali.

"They did not flee, but returned to Bali for the Panca Wali Krama (Hindu religious) ceremony on March 17. After that they will return," a local Hindu community official was quoted by Antara as saying in Bali.

But Balinese settler Made Lebah, while saying he would take part in the ceremony, said he and his family would only go back to East Timor when the situation in the former Portuguese colony stabilized.

"Anyway, according to my parents, it is better to live in our own hometown," said Made, who settled in Timor with his wife and children 13 years ago.

The report said the settlers were seen carrying plastic bags, sleeping mats and stoves.

Tensions have been rising in East Timor since President B.J. Habibie announced on Jan. 27 that Indonesia would consider independence for the territory should its residents reject an offer of broad autonomy. Groups in favor of or opposing independence have been consolidating their forces.

Meanwhile, Antara quoted pro-integration leader Joao da Silva Tavares as saying in Bobonaro, East Timor, that thousands still wanted to remain with Indonesia but they would not provoke a fight with those who desired independence.

"Those who want integration also have the right to fight for their aspiration," he said. "No one, including the United Nations, can force their will on us."

Tavares, who leads a group called Halilintar (Lightning), claimed to have 2,400 supporters in Atabae town, who were armed with basic weapons such as machetes, spears and arrows. "The Portuguese colony left around 25,000 weapons while the (anti- Indonesia) Fretilin only has 200," he said. "I don't need to say how many are in my hands."

He rejected claims the group was supported by the Armed Forces (ABRI). "If necessary, tell ABRI to withdraw and let us go to war."

However, "If (jailed separatist rebel leader Alexander Xanana Gusmao) and his armed followers lay down their weapons, we will do the same thing and draw up within an hour a peace plan for the East Timorese."

Members of a pro-integration group calling themselves Besi Merah Putih (Red and White Iron) -- named for the Indonesian flag's colors -- continued to patrol along Maubara road in Liquica regency, about 38 kilometers west of Dili.

Armed with machetes, spears and arrows, and wearing red-and- white headbands, they clustered in small groups at intersections. (swe)