(24 Aug 2000) Indonesian/Nat
A senior foreign affairs delegation from Jakarta arrived in Dili on Wednesday for a series of meeting with the U-N's Transitional Administration for East Timor regarding the situation in refugee camps and militias in West Timor.
Indonesia is working on a plan to offer the East Timorese refugees a choice whether to become Indonesian citizens or be repatriated back to East Timor.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The plan is that, for Indonesia to close refugee camps along the border, and to give East Timorese refugees a right to decide whether they're going to choose to be Indonesians, or just to be East Timorese and for that a matter of returning or depart from East Timor."
(Q: "There's a claim that this has essentially failed in the past. How do you intend to give that choice in a secure environment?")
"I know I'm familiar with the chicken and eggs argument. What we intend to do is put chicken and egg in one basket and deal at once."
(Q: "Can you further explain that?")
"That's one major point in our plan. We are currently at the stage of formulating a comprehensive plan of action in dealing with these problems and certainly, as I said, security is one element."
SUPER CAPTION: Hasan Wirajudak, Head of Indonesian Delegation (and Director General of Political Affairs at Foreign Affairs ministry)
The U-N High Commissioner for Refugees said on Wednesday it was suspending operations in West Timor after three of its workers were severely injured in an attack by pro-Indonesian militias.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
(Q: "Could you tell us about the details you have heard about attacks on UNHCR staff?")
"Yes, I was informed of that very recently."
(Q: "What more is your government trying to do to eradicate this problem?")
"To eradicate this problem is to deal with the root causes. We have had our regular programmes, cooperations of UNHCR and various international organisations, but we know this programme is not progressing in the way that we would like to see. It's splitting up the process of repatriation or resettlement for those who choose to be Indonesians."
SUPER CAPTION: Hasan Wirajudak, Head of Indonesian Delegation (and Director General of Political Affairs at Foreign Affairs ministry)
The anti-independence militia gangs have also set up roadblocks in West Timor to stop refugees from returning home to East Timor.
The U-N-H-C-R says Indonesia's military is doing nothing to stop the rising tensions in the region.
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