TNI general bids farewell to refugees

TNI general bids farewell to refugees

Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta post, Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara

As many as 1,175 East Timorese refugees, or 335 families,
including 35 Indonesian soldiers and civil servants, left East
Nusa Tenggara on Monday for their newly independent homeland.

The repatriation of members of the Indonesian Military (TNI)
moved Udayana Military Commander Maj. Gen. William T. da Costa,
who led their farewell ceremony at the border area of Atambua.

"I am extremely moved by this event because one of them, Chief
Capt. Joachim do Santos, is my best bodyguard. He has worked with
me for three years and now he has chosen to return to his
homeland," he said.

Their departure for East Timor was marked by the removal of
official TNI and civil servant badges. They received
compensations of Rp 15 million to Rp 17 million each.

Up to 50,000 East Timorese are still staying in camps across
this province. The repatriation is expected to finish by the end
of the year.

William asked the returning refugees to start a new life, in
harmony with other East Timorese residents, and live in peace
with their Indonesian neighbors.

"For sure, you are no longer Indonesian citizens. Please go
home and abide by all the regulations there. Respect your flag
and sing the national Timor Lorosae anthem.

"But one thing that you should not forget is that we are all
Timorese people," he said emotionally as the refugees sobbed.

Apart from household belongings, some of the returning
refugees also carried the skeletons of members of their families
and relatives who had died at refugee camps.

"Less than 20 human skeletons are being taken home with the
refugees," Wirasakti military chief Kol. Moeswarno Moesanip, who
oversees security in the NTT capital of Kupang, told journalists
after the farewell ceremony.

Lt. Col. Tjuk Agus Minahasa, chief of the Belu district
Military Command, said more refugees would be repatriated on Aug.
17.