East Timor leader Gusmao asks Jakarta to continue refugee repatriation

BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Jun 25, 2001 Source: Pos Kupang, Kupang, in Indonesian 19 Jun 01 p 4

Kupang: Former President of the National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT) Xanana Gusmao has asked the Indonesian government not to stop repatriation of the East Timorese refugees in West Timor to their homeland in East Timor.

East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Deputy Governor Johanes Pake Pani revealed Xanana's request to reporters at the governor's office on Monday (18 June). According to Johannes, Xanana made the request during a recent meeting at the Borobudur Hotel, Jakarta. Xanana asked the Indonesian government, particularly the NTT provincial government, to continue to assist refugees who wanted to return to East Timor.

"Xanana called for continuing repatriation including for those refugees who have expressed their intention to stay in Indonesia," the deputy governor said.

He told Xanana that the Indonesian government was continuing to provide the opportunity for the refugees to return to East Timor voluntarily. The government was also continuing to provide the opportunity for those who had already decided to remain in Indonesia to change their minds and return to East Timor.

"The government is still facilitating the repatriation of [East Timorese] refugees who decided during the registration to remain in Indonesia but after having seen the changes in East Timor changed their minds and want to go back to East Timor," he added...

Source: Pos Kupang, Kupang, in Indonesian 19 Jun 01 p 4

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