West Timor Press Summaries December 2001

Subject: West Timor Press Summaries December 2001

received from "Charmain MOHAMED"

Please find attached, and below as text, summaries from the West Timorese Press from December 2001

West Timor Press Summaries 3rd December - 27th December 2001

NTT X ? NTT Eks pres; PK ? Pos Kupang; ST ? Surya Timor; RT ? Radar Timor; SP ? Sasando Pos

3rd December NTT X: (Kalabahi) As of Saturday (1 Dec), number of people treated of diarrhea in Alor district has reached 71 persons who are now being treated at the public hospital of Kalabahi, Alor. District Health Office of Alor has deployed a medical team consisting of three doctors, three assistants and one laboratory staff to handle the case who will conduct study on the ground of the outbreak of the disease and try to curb the spread of the disease. Based on the data held by District Health Office of Alor, there have been 4 persons who died from the disease in East Alila village and 8 others are treated at the hospital. Initial investigation has showed that the outbreak of diarrhea in the village was due to the consumption of unclean water and food.

RT: The incessant rain from Wednesday (28 Nov.) to Friday (30 Nov.) resulted in the flooding up of Benenai river inundating some 60 houses and farmlands in the southern areas of Belu District. Vice District of Belu, Drs. Bria Yohanes, conceded this number saying that this was based on the report made by West Malaka sub-district head. District government coordinated with related institutions has already sent a team to the flooded areas.

4th December

PK: With cases of diarrhea reported in Manggarai and Alor districts, the same disease is now attacking the district of Sikka. Since November 2001, it has claimed 2 lives and 45 others treated in the hospital. Therefore, since early November to December 2001, there have been 11 persons died and some 300 persons suffered of diarrhea in East Nusa Tenggara Province. Medical teams had already been sent to the areas in Sikka district namely, Kojadoi, South and North Bu villages, where the outbreak of the disease occurred and the team has managed to control the spreading of the disease. Poor sanitation of the water has resulted in the outbreak of diarrhea in several places in the province.

PK: Military members in Belu District managed to fail the smuggling of 130 drums of asphalt owned by an entrepreneur in Atambua to East Timor. Vice Governor, Drs, Johanis Pake Pani conceded the report to Pos Kupang in his office on Monday (3 Dec) and informed that the customs office in Atambua are now investigating the documents of the 130 drums of asphalt.

5th December

RT: Head of Baucau District, Marito Reis is now on his visit in Kupang to hold reconciliation meetings with East Timorese from Baucau district residing at Noelbaki camp, Kupang calling on the refugees to return home. Contacted by Antara on Tuesday (4 Dec), Chief of Information section of Provincial Military base, Capt. Longginus Lalo conceded the visit of District Head of Baucau. A day earlier, Marito Reis accompanied by a number of UNCHR staff met with Provincial Military Chief, Col. Moesanif to report about the visit.

CP: Some 86 families or at least 380 persons who were transmigration participants ex East Timor left Belu on Monday (3 Dec) for relocation program to Kelingih sub-district, in South Sumatera province. District Head of Belu, Bria Yohanes bid farewell to these refugees when they left the camps. These refugees were scheduled to leave for Jakarta from Kupang on Tuesday (4 Dec). They would be given establishment allowance and food aid for a year starting from the time the they arrive at the new place.

6th December

PK: The sixth tribal clash broke out in Manggarai District Monday (3 Dec) claiming 7 lives and 37 villagers' houses were destroyed. Among the dead victims was a 5-year-old boy. There are seven villagers who are now in critical condition and being treated at the local hospital. Most of the destroyed houses were set ablaze during the clash. This made up to 14 fatalities due to tribal clash throughout the year in Manggarai district. The recent clash was between villagers of Kampong Kedel and Tontong in Poco Ranaka sub-district. The clash erupted following dispute over tribal land border. Villagers of Kedel launched the attack on Monday when people in Tontong were about to hold communal praying for the building process of a villager's house. Villagers have reportedly sought refuge away from the village. A team consisting of district government officials, Police Chief of Manggarai, and District Military visited the village and found 5 dead bodies. As of now, there has been any information from villagers of Kampong of Kedel who launched the attack for reconciliation.

RT: Spokesperson of Provincial Government, Drs. Nani Kosapilawan, stated on Wednesday (5 Dec) that during the period of June to December, 8. 097 refugees have repatriated back to East Timor and more are expected to return in the coming days. There have been 7 times of repatriation process facilitated by Satkorlak PBP (Provincial Executing Unit to handle refugees' repatriation) and Satlak (District Level Unit), added Kosapilawan. He predicted of more returning before Christmas. Concerning uncertainty of taskforce handling the repatriation of refugees, 3rd Governor Assistant, Ir. Th Salean stated that after the transfer of responsibility to handle refugees' matter from Coordinating Minister of Political, Social and Security affairs to Coordinating Minister of People's Welfare, the handling of refugees is now under supervision of Coordinating Minister of People's Welfare. The minister has given mandate to Provincial Government to settle the refugees' problems including the refugees' repatriation process. With the establishment of Satkorlak by the Governor, the Taskforce for refugees' affairs (Satgas PMP) would automatically be dissolved.

12th December

PK: Minister of Social Affairs, Bachtiar Chamsyah is now in Kupang on his 2-day visit in West Timor. Speaking to the press yesterday at the Governor's office, Minister Chamsyah stated that he called on the Military and Police members to be in alert for possible escalating tension with the decision taken by the government to halt assistance for the refugees as of 1 January 2002. Minister Chamsyah was scheduled to meet with refugees in Atambua, Belu District today (12 Dec.). He would be accompanied by Governor, Piet A. Tallo, and Udayana Military Commander, Maj. Gen, Willem T. da Costa. Minister Chamsyah was quoted to say that the main duty of Military and Police is to ensure law and order prior to the implementation to halt food and side dish money assistance for East Timorese refugees. He appealed to the remaining refugees still residing in West Timor to return home to Timor Leste. Meanwhile, Udayana Military Commander, Maj. Gen, Willem da Costa has given orders to retrieve two battalions of Military from the border and deploy to safeguard Atambua city starting from the last week of December. Commander, da Costa has also requested for back-up personnel from the Provincial Police for possible violence in Atambua.

13th December

PK: Due to engine problems, the helicopter carrying the entourage of theMinister of Social Affairs, Bacthiar Chamsyah, the Governor of East Nusa Tenggara, Piet. A. Tallo, and Udayana Military Commander, Maj. Gen, Willem da Costa had to make an emergency landing at an open area near SoE, capital of South Central Timor district, yesterday (12 Dec.) about 110 km from Kupang city. The Social Minister and his entourage were on the way to Mota'ain checkpoint to bid farewell to 286 returning East Timorese refugees. The Provincial Military Chief, Col. Moesanip, took over the farewell process of the returning refugees at Mota' ain checkpoint. The repatriation itself was reported to be a success. Minister Bachtiar Chamsyah returned to Kupang later in the day and continued for Jakarta.

PK: Speaking to journalists at Eltari Airport yesterday (12 Dec.), Udayana Military Commander, Maj. Gen, Willem da Costa stated firmly that the Military and Police are ready to face refugees who want to create unrest with the halt of government's assistance for refugees starting on 1 January 2002. One of the anticipative steps is to deploy two battalions of military members to safeguard a number of areas in West Timor for possibilities of unrest by refugees who are not satisfied with the government's decision to halt assistance.

NTT X: The number of East Timorese applying for passports to go to East Timor has increased. At least one hundred East Timorese queued at the immigration office in Atambua waiting to process their passports. An East Timorese, Sebastiano da Silva, stated that he planned to go to East Timor with his family members to visit relatives during Christmas and at the same time witness the real situation in East Timor. If the situation is safe back home, he plans to bring the family back to East Timor.

14th December

PK: Minister of Social Affairs, Bachtiar Chamsyah presented money assistance to the amount of Rp.100 million for flood victims of the Benaain river in Belu district. He also gave food assistance for the flood-affected people living along the river. Minister Bachtiar Chamsyah was scheduled to hand over the money assistance to the District Head of Belu during the repatriation of refugees on Wednesday (12 Dec) at the border, and then visited the affected areas, but the plan was cancelled due to the unfortunate helicopter incident.

15th December

PK: Police of Belu are now ready to launch an investigation of alleged storage of fuel at the forest around the area of East and West Timor border. "We are making all necessary preparations towards the operation to comb the forests to seek for possible storage of fuel", said Police Chief of Belu, Adj. Snr. Comr, Drs. Nender Yani. Meanwhile, it was reported from Alor district, the smuggling of fuel to East Timor is rampant nowadays. District Head of Alor, Ans Takalapeta conceded this when he was contacted on Friday (14 Dec.).

RT: King of Oecusse enclave, Antonio Hermenigildo came to visit refugees at camps in North Central Timor district (TTU) recently calling for refugees to return home. Speaking to Radar Timor on Friday (14 Dec.) he stated that he came to West to witness the lives of East Timorese in refuge. He tried to convince the refugees to change their minds to leave the suffering at camps. He revealed to the refugees that one of the best solutions would be to return to East Timor. King Hermeigildo was optimistic that many would return prior to Christmas and the New Year. He informed that UNTAET and TTU District Government are planning to hold reconciliation talks between the people of East Timor and those seeking refuge in West Timor at the border of TTU district and Oecusse.

NTT X: A number of refugee leaders residing in Belu District are to disseminate the plan by the government to halt assistance for refugees. One of the leaders, Salustiano de Sousa, stated on Friday (14 Dec.) that there would be a meeting between camp and political leaders of refugees to share ideas on the above issue. If there were a consensus among the leaders on the issue, dissemination of information regarding the halt of assistance would be conducted soon. De Sousa revealed that he held talks with a number of camp leaders and they had expressed their willingness to disseminate the plan to halt the assistance to the refugees.

20th December

PK: Vice Governor, Johanis Pake Pani, in his capacity as Head of Committee in the border area, held talks with Provincial Military Chief, Col. M. Moesanip and delegation from the Provincial Police on Wednesday (19 Dec.) Among other things discussed in the meeting was the issue of establishing markets at the border of West and East Timor. According to Col. M. Moesanip, the issue is being appraised to establish a traditional market, to accommodate grassroots living near the border; and a 'regular' market which would involve big trading activities to prevent smugglings. With the opening of markets at the border, it is hoped that the trading activities could boost the province's revenue.

NTT X: The executing unit of the Refugees' Affairs (Satlak PBP), is scheduled to repatriate 65 refugee families or 165 persons today from Belu back to East Timor. District Military Chief of Belu, Let. Col, Didi Sudiana stated that the refugees would be facilitated to go through Mota'ain checkpoint. Each of the returning family would receive an incentive of Rp.1 million. From 16 November to 13 December, Satlak PBP has repatriated 513 families or 1,713 persons of refugees residing in Belu District.

NTT X: The socialisation campaign done by a number of refugee leaders has always been aimed to encourage refugees to return home but not to participate in the transmigration programme. One refugees leaders from Manatuto, Lucia Ximenes said on Wednesday, that they had visited camp to camp to encourage returning but not the transmigration programme. He reasoned that East Timor is where the refugees belong since it is the land inherited from their ancestors and it is also the place where their families and friends are residing. He added that there were people who participated in the transmigration programme on 3 December of this year from West Timor areas, but they were not all East Timorese. Out of the 86 families (or 380 persons), only one family is from East Timor.

NTT X: Military and Police in Belu are now on alert of a worsening situation in Belu with the implementation of the discontinuation of refugee assistance on 1 January 2002. Stern measures including the shooting-on-site to any perpetrator have been instructed by Udayana Military Commander as the Chief of Military overseeing three provinces; Bali, West and East Nusa Tenggara. District Military Chief of Belu, Lieut. Col. Didi Sudiana and District Police Chief, Adj. Snr. Comr, Nender Yani told this to the press yesterday in Atambua.

RT: A reconciliation team from Manatuto District in East Timor will visit West Timor areas to meet with refugees. Before meeting the refugees, delegations from East Timor, led by Father Domingos da Cunha, are scheduled to meet with former government officials of East Timor. Included in the entourage are community and religious leaders in Manatuto. The team would end the tour to camps on Saturday (22 Dec.) and return to East Timor on the same day.

21st December

PK: Udayana Military Commander, Maj. Gen, Willem da Costa reiterated yesterday at the Governor's office in Kupang that the military and Police would take special measures to safeguard West Timor areas prior to the discontinuation of refugees' assistance on 1 January 2002. He emphasized that he would not give any permission to any group of people, who are not satisfied with the government's decision, to hold mass rally or demonstrations in Kupang and promised to take stern measures against it.

RT/SP: After meeting with 30 Community Leaders from East Timor yesterday, Udayana Military Commander, Maj. Gen, Willem da Costa stated that the reconciliation meeting at the grassroot level between the community leaders of refugees and people in East Timor is the best way to achieve true reconciliation. He said further that the previous reconciliation meetings which only involved East Timorese political elites did not bring any good results. The visiting community leaders came from Los Palos, Manatuto and Viqueque districts in East Timor. They would meet with refugees in camps in Kupang district and return home on Saturday (22 Dec.). Meanwhile, District Head of Kupang, Drs, I. A, Medah, when meeting with the reconciliatory team yesterday, appealed to the East Timorese community leaders to help resolve the refugees' problem by calling on the refugees to return home.

22nd December

PK: Based on the 2000-census data from the National Statistics Bureau in North Central Timor regency, out of 6,005 houses in Kefamenanu, only 31% are equipped with latrines. A staff of the Statistics Bureau Office in TTU, Patrisius Tupen stated this at Frawijaya Hotel on Wednesday (19 Dec.) in Kefamenanu during a socialisation session of the census result in 2000 in TTU district.

NTT X: Udayana Military Chief, Maj. Gen, Willem da Costa held talks with East Timorese refugees at Military Base in SoE last Friday (21 Dec.). Also attending the meeting were Provincial Military Commander, Col. Moesanip and District Military Chief, Lieut. Col, Pieter Lobo. During the meeting, Maj. Gen, da Costa called on the refugees to return home informing that the situation in East Timor is now safe. Refugees were informed for those who wish to return before Christmas would be given a living allowance and Christmas incentive in total Rp. 1 million.

NTT X: At least 60 delegations of refugees from Kailako, Ainaro attended a reconciliation meeting with community leaders from Kailako, Ainaro in transit centre in Batugade on Thursday (20 Dec.). The refugees from Kailako, Ainoro are mostly residing in camps in Haekesak and Atambua, in Belu District. At least 34 community leaders of Kailako were present in the meeting. This was the first meeting among the people of Kailako since the big exodus of people from East Timor in September 1999.

NTT X: In relation with the visit by community leaders from Manatuto district from East Timor, four leaders of refugees from Manatuto residing in Belu district came to Kupang to attend the reconciliation meeting. The four delegations conveyed the voice of refugees from Manatuto residing in Belu district in the reconciliation meeting. One of the aspirations from the refugees is that the constitution of the new country should be able to give security warranty and uphold human rights of all East Timorese despite of their political views.

NTT X: A refugee leader from Ermera, Claudio de Jesus Lay called on all the refugees in West Timor to defy the program to transmigrate the refugees to Wetar Island. The plan to relocate the refugees to Wetar island is considered to have been proposed by East Timor political elites who do not represent the East Timorese refugees. In addition, the appraisal of the plan did not go through a consultation with the refugees in West Timor. Another refugee leader, Alberto da Silva Madeira in Atambua conceded this on Thursday (20 Dec.). Refugee leaders are now making efforts towards a true reconciliation of all East Timorese. Claudio de Jesus Lay hoped that starting from in the beginning of 2002, refugees from Ermera would start returning home.

RT: Three District Heads from East Timor namely District Head of Los Palos, Oland da Costa, District Head of Viqueque, Fransisco da Silva and District Head of Manatuto, Manuel Constantino, conducted a working visit in Kupang, West Timor to meet with the Government of Kupang District. Vice District Head of Kupang, Frits Djubida, and District Military Chief of Kupang, Lieut. Col, W. Aritonang received the entourage from East Timor on Thursday (20 Dec.) in Kupang. The three district heads were among the entourage of the community leaders who are making a reconciliation visit from 19-21 December to meet refugees in Kupang.

24th December

PK: Vice Governor of East Nusa Tenggara, Johanis Pake Pani stated in the meeting with government officials in North Central Timor district on Friday (21 Dec.) that the Indonesian Government and UNTAET are to sign an agreement on 20 January 2002 concerning the opening of border markets. He said further that there would be a meeting on this plan to take place in Denpasar, Bali on 11 January 2002, to discuss technical matters of the border market.

NTT X: As many as 146 illegal immigrants from Iraq, Palestine, and Iran were captured on Thursday (13 Dec.) and Friday (21 Dec.) in the island of Rote near Kupang. Public Relations Officer of Provincial Police, 1st Inspector, Chusnul Waton stated on Saturday (22 Dec.) that the 146 immigrants are now accommodated at the Police School mess in Kupang together with 205 illegal immigrants from Afghanistan who have been staying there for few months. Provincial Police is reportedly relocatimg the 205-immigrants to the island of Lombok on 29 December.

27th December

PK: (Kefamenanu). Strong wind hit several areas in North Central Timor district (TTU) on Tuesday (25 Dec.). Several areas such as, Naen and Tubuhue villages in Kefamenanu City sub-district were badly hit by the wind. The wind destroyed 11 houses and scores of hectares of villagers' cornfields. Four persons were reportedly injured. Government officials, led by the Vice District head, Gabriel Manek, visited the affected areas giving moral support for the victims of the disaster. Head of Social Section of District Administration, Dominicus Saijao told the press that the District Government had already distributed emergency assistance in the form of 500 kg of rice, 6 plastic tarpaulin sheets, 60 boxes of instant noodles and 32 boxes of clothes for the victims.

PK: At least 2000 hectares of protected forest have been cleared by the East Timorese refugees in Belu District. The Vice Governor of East Nusa Tenggara, Johanis Pake Pani stated this during a meeting with District Government officials of South Central Timor, North Central Timor and Belu districts in Belu on Friday (21 Dec.) at the legislative hall in Belu District. He estimated that the provincial government would need at least Rp. 8.7 billion to rehabilitate the destroyed forest. Concerning the areas along the river of Benanain, in Belu District and Noelmina, in TTS District, known to be affected by floods every year, Vice Governor, Pake Pani hoped that better coordination is needed among the district government to conduct a joint handling of the vulnerable flooded areas.

PK: Lieut. Col, Didi Sudiana, Military Chief of Belu, defied rumours spread among refugees that goods were handled recklessly in the transit centre in East Timor. He stated that he had already instructed members of Satlak PBP to witness how the goods were handled in the shipment of goods in East Timor. Lieut. Col, Sudiana did not wish the misleading rumours to hamper the ongoing repatriation program. Meanwhile, in the repatriation on Wednesday (26 Dec.), 25 families or 89 persons were repatriated home by Satlak PBP of Belu (the Executing Unit which handles refugees' repatriation).

RT: At least 20 refugee leaders residing in Belu district are planning to visit Bobonaro district to see the condition of those who had returned to Bobonaro in early January. Alberto Leita told Antara yesterday that the refugee leaders would visit Bobonaro from 5 to 10 of January 2001. They want to meet with the returning refugees there in Bobonaro and hold talks with both grassroots and political elites in the district. Leita added that witnessing directly the condition of those who had returned would be important for the effort to repatriate the remaining refugees in West Timor since the refugees in West Timor would be informed of the real condition these leaders see in Bobonaro.

Back to February menu
January
World Leaders Contact List
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu