Repatriation the best option

Repatriation the best option

ATAMBUA, East Nusa Tenggara: Repatriation and relocation of East Timorese refugees are considered to be good options to solve the problem of food scarcity as its distribution from the Indonesian government is reducing.

"As the government can no longer provide an adequate quantity of food, repatriation or relocation to other regions are considered to be the appropriate courses of action," Blasius J. Manek, deputy speaker of Belu Legislative Council said on Tuesday.

He added that he had continually explained to the refugees that the fertile areas in Belu would not be enough to accommodate that many refugees.

Refugees intending to stay in Indonesia should be willing to be repatriated to other regions like Kalimantan or Sumatra, while others intending to return to their home country could join the repatriation program, Blasius said.

Ansesso Sessas, one of the refugees, admitted that most refugees were suffering from the food shortages. "We know the Indonesian government's ability is limited," he said.

"There could possibly be a larger number of refugees who will decide to go home, especially after the peaceful election in East Timor on Aug. 30," he said. The repatriation flow would reach its peak next month, the start of the rainy season, which also means the start of the planting season, he said.

Ermelinda Martins, another refugee, said that many had decided to return to East Timor to improve their economic prospects after living in temporary tents for two years. -- Antara