RI citizens flee East Timor

RI citizens flee East Timor

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Dozens of Indonesians fled in droves
from Dili, the capital of East Timor to Belu regency in East Nusa
Tenggara, as the celebration of East Timor independence draws
near.

The Indonesian citizens, who have been residing in the world's
newest country, are mostly businesspeople. For the time being,
most plan to stay on the Indonesian side of Timor island, while
closely watching the developments in East Timor.

A reliable source contacted from Kupang on the western tip of
the island, said that the exodus began on Monday. The source,
living near the border, said that the number of people returning
to Indonesia was increasing as the independence celebration drew
near.

However, The Belu police chief, Adj. Sr. Comr. Ekotrio
Budhiniar said on Thursday that he had not received any reports
about an influx of Indonesian citizens from East Timor.

East Timor separated from Indonesia after a UN-sponsored
popular ballot in 1999. Anti-Indonesian sentiment can still run
high from time to time, even though Indonesian troops and their
cohorts were forced to flee the territory in September 1999,
nearly six years ago. -- JP