Town braces for influx of refugees from Timor
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)