The Jakarta Post August 7, 2003

East Timor refugees reregistered

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Authorities have began the reregistration of thousands of East Timorese refugees languishing in camps across East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) to determine their citizenship, officials said.

The program is implemented on the basis of Presidential Decree No. 25/2003 ordering registration of East Timorese refugees ahead of the 2004 elections.

The registration will exclude former East Timorese civil servants, including soldiers and police officers, as they are automatically considered Indonesian citizens for their service to the country, said spokesman for the NTT administration Johanis Kosapilawan.

He said on Monday the registration also aims to determine the exact number of East Timorese refugees living in the camps.

It is expected that the registration will assist the refugees' to participate in the 2004 general elections.--JP

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