Town braces for influx of refugees from Timor

JAKARTA (JP): The border town of Atambua in Belu regency, East Nusa Tenggara, has prepared a temporary refugee camp with capacity to shelter 10,000 in anticipation of a larger exodus of migrants from East Timor's provincial capital of Dili.

Belu Regent Servatius Pareira said his administration had formed a special team, allocated sufficient rice and emergency cash to anticipate the possibility of an influx which could swell in the next two days.

In the western part of Timor island, Atambua is about 300 kilometers southwest of Dili.

Speaking in East Nusa Tenggara's provincial capital of Kupang, Pareira hoped the facilities would not have to be used.

Atambua subdistrict chief, Petrus Bria, said 797 refugees from East Timor -- mostly migrants from Java, West Sumatra, Sulawesi and East Nusa Tenggara -- arrived in Atambua this week.

About 370 more had arrived in other neighboring subdistricts, he added.

The massive exodus of migrants over the past two weeks from Dili was sparked by rampant rumors there would be violence against migrants tomorrow during the anniversary celebration of East Timor's integration into Indonesia.

Antara reported that several fleeing migrants reported they were terrorized by mysterious "ninjas" -- gangs of men dressed in black -- and that native Timorese had advised them to temporarily seek safety in East Nusa Tenggara.

Udayana Regional Military Chief Maj. Gen. Adam Damiri said yesterday 7,726 people had fled the province in the past two weeks.

As many as 2,225 of the refugees fled by ship, 1,001 by plane and 4,500 overland across the border, said in Kupang.

Damiri dismissed reports that civil servants in Dili -- mostly migrants from Java and other provinces -- had also fled out of fear.

"Yes, some of them had felt threatened, especially in Dili, but there were those who had actually made use of the school holidays to take their leave."

He maintained that those who fled did so in anticipation of a massive rally to coincide with the arrival of United Nations special envoy for East Timor affairs, Jamsheed Marker, which is tentatively scheduled for Friday.

Damiri said the Armed Forces was doing its utmost to maintain security for all living in East Timor.

However, the exodus appeared to have subsided yesterday.

According to Antara, few buses passed through checkpoints at the East Nusa Tenggara-East Timor border.

In Dili yesterday, Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo called on Marker and his delegation to postpone their visit to East Timor to reduce the risk of violence.

"I have called on Ambassador Marker to postpone his visit to East Timor due to the tense and unfavorable political situation and uncontrollable conflict between pro- and anti-integrationists in the province."

Demonstrations have been planned by both pro- and anti- integration supporters to coincide with the visit.

"It would be better for him to come to the province in September or October. For what would his visit be if it only ignites conflict among the East Timorese?" he said.

Marker and his delegation are to arrive in Jakarta this morning, and is scheduled to hold talks with President B.J. Habibie and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas.

A visit by European Union ambassadors to East Timor earlier this month sparked rallies which descended into bloody clashes. (aan)