1,600 Indonesian Citizens Trapped Outside Dili
Wednesday, 31 May, 2006 | 17:25 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Kupang: A Hercules airplane belonging to the Indonesian Military (TNI) Air Force arrived yesterday morning at Kupang airport, East Nusa Tenggara, carried 98 Indonesian citizens.

They were the last group of 1,387 citizens evacuated from Licalao Lobato Airport, Dili, since the rioting broke out in Timor Leste, on Thursday last week.

Around 1,600 Indonesian citizens are still trapped outside Dili.

The Republic of Indonesia's Embassy (KBRI) in Dili stated it had temporarily closed the evacuation registration.

However, the Commander of TNI Air Force Base in Kupang, Lieutenant Colonel Penerbang Historis explained that two Hercules airplanes were on stand-by in Kupang.

“All who have registered have been evacuated,” he said.
He said he was concerned about citizens who were trapped and threatened by hunger as all stores and staple food sales points in Dili are closed.

So the Hercules airplanes also sent the aid comprising 250 kilograms of rice, salted fish, and cooking oil to the KBRI.

“The KBRI staff asked for help, moreover the citizens who were trapped in middle of conflict,” said Historis.

Separately, Infantry Colonel APJ Noch Bola, Commander of Military Command Post (Korem) 161 Wirasakti Kupang, explained the evacuation was obstructed because half of Indonesian citizens work outside the capital city (Dili) and have difficulty to come to the KBRI.

“Streets are blocked, rebel groups are everywhere,” said Bola.

Indonesian citizens in Dili are advised not hurry to come to the KBRI before foreign troops are able to control the situation, due to the high risks.

Jems De Fortuna