Please find attached, and below as text, summaries from the West Timorese Press.

West Timor Press Summaries 17th November ? 23rd November 2001 NTT X ? NTT Eks pres; PK ? Pos Kupang; ST ? Surya Timor; RT ? Radar Timor; SP ? Sasando Pos

Saturday, 17 November 2001

PK: Commander of Provincial Military Base, 161 Wirasakti Kupang, Col. M. Moesanip said yesterday that 141 families/600 persons are scheduled to repatriate to East Timor on Friday (16 Nov.). Sector Commander of Border Security Troops, Col Hari and a prominent East Timor community leader, Joao Tavares will witness the repatriation process at Metamasin checkpoint. He disclosed that at least 508 refugee families from various camps in South Central Timor district will be returning this week aboard a passenger ship from Kupang seaport. Also, 107 military members originating from East Timor are scheduled to return home within this week.

NTT X: Independence leader of East Timor, Xanana Gusmao and a number of transitional cabinet ministers of East Timor are scheduled to visit Kupang on 25 November. Xanana's political advisor, David Dias Ximenes said in Batugade, East Timor on Friday (16/11) that the entourage would hold a dialogue with refugees at camps. The visiting team would consist of several political and religious leaders and would meet with the Governor of East Nusa Tenggara, Piet A. Talo, Regional Military Chief, Maj. Gen. Willem da Costa, Speaker of Provincial Legislature, Daniel Woda Pale and some religious leaders in Kupang. Ximenes put emphasis that the visit shows that political leaders in East Timor are showing great concern over refugees' problems.

NTT X: A number of government officials of Ainaro District of Timor Lorosae held talks with camp coordinators at Metamasin in Kobalima subdistrict, Belu on Friday (16 Nov.). The dialogue was held near the bridge of Metamasin, a point separating Indonesian and East Timor territory. The dialogue was reportedly peaceful and full of laughter. Representing Timor Lorosae government were Deputy for Administrator of Ainaro, Manuel Pareira, and Sub-district head, Antonia Makno and one staff of UNTAET. Representing refugees were Chief of Forum Soru Mutuk Badame (a forum for East Timor reconciliation), and Chapter Head of UNTAS of Ainaro, Constantino Makno and dozens of camp coordinators from areas throughout Belu District. In the dialogue, Manuel Parera reported the latest situation in Ainoaro calling on refugees to return home.

NTT X: A brawl erupted on Thursday midnight (15/11) between youths of Kuanino village and Nunleu village in Kupang city. The clash claimed one injury and the material loss is estimated to reach millions of Rupiah .Police and Mobile Brigade personnel who came to the site found it difficult to restore order since the area had an electricity black out at the time. Nobody was detained in the incident. The fight initially broke out on Monday (11/11) but was then settled by village administration officials and a number of community figures.

Monday, 19 November 2001

NTT X: Spokespersons of Provincial Police of East Nusa Tenggara, Adj. Comr, I Wajan Dana, stated that the Provincial Police are ready to secure the visit by Xanana Gusmao and some ministers of the transitional government of Timor Lorosae in Kupang. The official notification from the East Timor government regarding the visit was received by Provincial Police on 11 November . I Wajan Dana stated further that the security condition in West Timor and Kupang is particularly conducive for the visit to be a success.

NTT X: A 2nd reconciliation dialogue was held on Saturday (17/11) at a joint security post of UN-PKF and the Indonesian Military in Batugade (the first was held on 24 October). A refugee leader, Claudio de Jesus Lay stated that improvements were made in the second reconciliation dialogue. He considers the people of Ermera have softened their stance towards human rights violence cases in East Timor as opposed to the previous reconciliation dialogue. He is positive a large number of refugees from Ermera would return home before Christmas.

Tuesday, 20 November 2001

PK: The Ambassador of Australian Government, Richard Smith visited Kupang and held a closed meeting with the Governor of East Nusa Tenggara, Piet A. Talo on Monday (19 Nov.). Both figures discussed about the smuggling of illegal immigrants and East Timor refugee problems. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Ambassador Smith stated that the Australian Government had recently imposed a new law on people smugglings with a possible seven-year imprisonment for the smuggler. He also stated that the Australian government would assist 7 million AUS dollars to help the Indonesian government resolve the East Timor refugee problems. To the Ambassador, Governor of East Nusa Tenggara Piet A. Talo stated that since October 2001, there have been 1.708 illegal immigrants captured in their attempt to smuggle into Australian territory. Out of which, 767 persons were accommodated in several areas in the province such as Kupang, Rote island and East Flores. Illegal immigrant issues were brought up when Ambassador Smith met with Vice Chief of Provincial Police, Snr. Comr, Arthur Damanik on the same day. Defence attaché of the Australian Government, Brig. Gen, Brian Miller accompanied the ambassador during the meeting with the Vice Chief of East Nusa Tenggara.

NTT X: Vice Police Chief of East Nusa Tenggara, Snr. Comr, Arthur Damanik told the press on Monday (19 Nov.) that Police Chief of East Nusa Tenggara, Brig. Gen, Jacky Uly is now on his visit in Dili. He met with the Chief of Staff UNTAET, N. Parameswaran on Sunday (18 Nov.) Among other things, both figures discussed the repatriation process of the remaining East Timor refugees in West Timor. Damanik stated further that the meeting was necessary since the Government of Indonesia had already determined December 2001 as the deadline for the repatriation of all remaining refugees in West Timor. Meanwhile, it was reported from Denpasar, the meeting between former Deputy Commander of Pro-integration fighters, Eurico Guteress and Xanana Gusmao failed to materialize on Sunday (18 Nov) Eurico Guterres rejected to meet with delegations sent by Xanana Gusmao.

NTT X: Antara reported from Mota'ain, 127 refugee families/400 persons returned to East Timor aboard 59 trucks going through Mota'ain checkpoint on Monday (19 Nov.). Each Refugee family were given incentives of Rp.750.000, in total consisting of Rp. 500.000 of compensation funds and Rp.250.000 as their establishment allowance. The refugees are heading towards various districts in East Timor such as, Bobonaro, Dili, and Ermera. The distribution of incentives was done by 1605 Military Base. This was the second repatriation process in which the refugees were given incentives. Chief of Staff of Military Base, Major, Sapriyadi stated the payment of the incentives was done carefully. The establishment allowance amounting to Rp. 250.000 is paid at camps enabling the refugees to buy necessities and the compensation fund amounting to Rp.500.000 would be paid when they are about to cross the border. However, for spontaneous returnees, the incentive would be paid at the border before they enter East Timor territory. All returnees are eligible to receive their incentive upon presentation of their official refugee identification cards.

RT: A number of refugee leaders residing in Belu district complained the rules imposed by UN-PKF limiting only 20 people to attend the reunion meeting at the border. Claudio de Jesus Lay, one of the refugee leaders stated on Monday (19 Nov.) in Atambua that he regretted such decision and regarded it as a factor that could hamper the reconciliation process among East Timorese. He argued that to make the reconciliation process a success, more people should be allowed to attend such meeting so that there would be more people to hear the real situation in East Timor.

Cendana Pos: Head of a local non-governmental organisation, Yayasan Membagi Kasih, H. John L. Manggung questioned about security phase V status applied on West Timor areas. He stated that there are no updates of a security status applied in West Timor areas whether it has been downgraded or revoked. The organisation is planning to send an official letter to the Governor of East Nusa Tenggara requesting a clarification of the issue.

Wednesday, 21 November 2001

PK: Reconciliation meeting for the people of Ermera District scheduled on Saturday (17 Nov.) at Mota'ain, Belu was cancelled by UNTAET and UNMO. The cancellation of the meeting enraged 750 refugees who came to the border for the meeting. Indonesian Military and Police were quick to restore orders. Foreign Minister of Timor Lorosae, Marie Alkatiri was scheduled to lead the entourage from East Timor to attend the meeting. Meanwhile from the refugees' side, Claudio de Jesus Lay and some other prominent refugees' figures would be present in the meeting. Abilio de Deus Lima, one of refugees' delegations, stated the cancellation was made by UNTAET and UNMO because they only approved 50 refugees' delegations to attend the meeting. Sources informed, the reconciliation meeting for the people of Liquica also failed to materialize on Monday (19 Nov.). The meeting was reportedly to be facilitated by a former militiamen commander, Rusdin Maubere.

Friday, 23 November 2001

RT: The Indonesian Government and Timor Lorosae have finally agreed on four important issues in a recent meeting held in Dili on Wednesday (21 Nov). Representing the Indonesian Government were Moh. Jusuf, and Vice Governor of East Nusa Tenggara, Johanis Pake Pani and several government officials. Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Fernando de Araújo led the delegations from Timor Lorosae Government. The four topics agreed were the border demarcation, transit route to Batugade, regulations for border markets and security issues. The four topics would be appraised and be discussed further in the next meeting in Kupang. Regarding the border markets, Vice Governor of East Nusa Tenggara, Johanis Pake Pani agreed to start the operation in December this year.

NTT X: Head of Administration section of Provincial Social Department, Yos Mamulak said on Wednesday (21 Nov.) the office had received reorts of impact resulted by flood and landslides in a number of places in Flores such as Manggarai, Ngada and East Flores. The office has decided to distribute 2 tonnes of rice aid in each district to help the victims of the rice aid.

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