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