Security status lowered in Timor

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The United Nations Security Council lowered its alert status in West Timor regency from an Alert IV to an Alert III in response to improved security, a senior government official said on Monday.

Umbu Saga Anakaka, the spokesman for the East Nusa Tenggara provincial government, said the decision to lower the alert status was taken after a recent evaluation of security in West Timor by officials from the UN's headquarters in New York.

The decision was relayed to East Nusa Tenggara Governor Piet A. Tallo by an official from the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) during a recent visit, Umbu said.

An Alert V status was imposed on West Timor regency after three employees of the UNHCR were killed in September 2000. Having issued the Alert V status, the United Nations prohibited its agencies from operating in the area. Some UN member countries followed suit by warning their citizens from traveling to the area.

The status has been lowered as security in the regency has improved. With the Alert III status, UN agencies are allowed to resume work in the area. -- JP