RI, Japan at odds over aid

RI, Japan at odds over aid

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The East Nusa Tenggara
administration and the Japanese government are at loggerhead over
the designated use of Japan's Rp 53 billion in aid for refugees.

Yasuhiro Sugata, who was sent by the Japanese Foreign Ministry
to investigate the distribution of the financial assistance,
wants the government to distribute all the aid to East Timorese
refugees in West Timor while the provincial administration wants
to use part of the money to help locals affected by the refugees'
presence.

Deputy Governor Johanis Pake Pani confirmed on Friday that
both sides had yet to reach an agreement.

"Local people will feel jealous of the refugees who easily
gain financial assistance from donor countries while they are
only watching," he said.

He said the Japanese envoy went back to Japan to consult with
his government because he did not have the authority to make a
decision.

He added the provincial administration would meet the Japanese
again if it turned down the province's proposal. -- JP