Antara - The Indonesian National News Agency

April 8, 2003

INDONESIANS EXPECT REGISTRATION OF THEIR ASSETS IN E TIMOR TO BE HELD IN W TIMOR

Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara, April 8 (ANTARA) - Some 9,000 families of Indonesians who had lived in East Timor, have asked Foreign Affairs Minister Hassan Wirajuda to launch a diplomatic move so that the registration of the assets they had left behind in the neighboring country can be held in Indonesia's half of Timor island.

The registration will be received by officials from East Timor's office of land affairs and properties, to help Indonesians who cannot go to the neighboring country to register their assets there, IM Ndoen, East Nusa Tenggara coordinator for registration of assets of Indonesians who had lived in East Timor, said here on Tuesday.

Similar registrations can also be undertaken in some Indonesian cities, currently the domicile of many Indonesians who had left behind their fixed assets in East Timor, following the popular ballot in 1999, said Ndoen.

The request for the diplomatic approach by Wirajuda has also been made in writing.

In general, Indonesians who lived in East Timor during the integration era, have been suffering in exile, because they had to leave their fixed assets behind in the newly independent state.

They are afraid that the registration issue will only add to their misery, if it is not followed up with positive responses to their demand for compensation.

"The Indonesian government should help the poor and innocent people, who have suffered after the secession of East Timor, " Ndoen said.

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