Refugees from Timor Leste to be Taken in at Motaain
Monday, 08 May, 2006 | 16:47 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Kupang: The government of Belu Region, East Nusa Tenggara, has prepared three locations to accommodate people from Timor Leste who are evacuating to Indonesia.

The locations are in Motaain, on the borders of Indonesia and Timor Leste.

“Nevertheless, if the situation in Dili returns to normal and the number of people evacuating to Indonesia is low, Immigration will not allow them enter the country,” said Slamet Santosa, the Head of the Atambua Immigration Office, yesterday (7/5).

Since two days ago, more than 3,000 residents have left Dili because the situation there has become tense.
They have gathered in border areas near Motaain but Timor Leste security personnel have not allowed them to cross to Indonesia.

Until yesterday, only sixty foreigners were evacuated to Indonesia through the border in East Nusa Tenggara.
Indonesian citizens who crossed the border totaled 580 people.

The situation in Dili yesterday evening was still tense with normal activities halted following tension due to protests by former army personnel who were dismissed by Commander Taur Matan Ruak last week.

According to several sources of Tempo contacted in Dili, stores and shopping centers there are still closed, while transportation in the city is not running normally.
The offices of foreign representatives are not operating yet.

Timor Leste security personnel are on the alert at many locations.

Jems De Fortuna