---------------------------------------------------------- Live and work in the USA legally: Register for the GREEN CARD LOTTERY! Visit http://www.us-immigration.org -0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0 Indonesia Daily News Online http://www.indo-news.com/ Free Email @KotakPos.com visit: http://my.kotakpos.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------- Antara, 25 September 2000 MAJORITY OF NON-ALIGNED COUNTRIES SUPPORT RI`S POLICY ON MILITIAS Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara, Sept 25 (ANTARA) - The majority of member countries grouped in the Non-Aligned Movement supported Indonesia`s persuasive policy in dealing with East Timorese refugees in West Timor and the humanitarian approach in disarming the militias. NAM countries, which strongly resisted the imposition of UN resolution no 1319 on Indonesia following the Atambua incident which caused the death of three UNHCR civilian staffers, noted a bias in the making of the resolution, as it was issued without consultation with Indonesia. That was the remarks made by Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in a meeting with civilian and military authorities, youths and university students in Kupang, on Sunday. The NAM member countries could understand the Indonesian explanation, as they felt that the refugee issue is not merely the responsibility of Indonesia, but also of the UN, said Susilo. In the meeting, Minister Susilo was flanked by Home and Regional Autonomy Minister Suryadi Sudirdja, Military Commander Admiral Widodo AS, Justice and Human Rights Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Police Chief Bimantoro and East Nusa Tenggara Governor Piet Alexander Mario Vieira. Also present in the meeting are a number of pro-integration East Timorese groups such as Joao da Silva Tavares, Dominggus Soares, Eurico Guterres, Joanicho Cecario and Florencio Mario Vieira. "We came here to convey the result of our meeting with the UN following the Atambua incident and to have a close look at the condition of East Timorese refugees in West Timor camps as well as the hand over of fire arms by pro-integration militias," said Susilo. He further said the UN resolution no 1319 was too harsh and ever imposed on Indonesia, as the UN felt that Indonesia lacked attention and serious action with regard to the Atambua incident. "Investigative steps we have taken to settle the case of the death of three UNHCR staffers were ignored by the UN, thus prompting the UN Security Council to issue an embargo on Indonesia," Susilo further stressed. In overcoming the refugees issue in West Timor, he added, Indonesia will ask the UNHCR to make an inventory of around 130,000 refugees who are still staying in West Timor. "We will ask them to make a choice whether to stay in Indonesia or to return to their homeland in Timor Leste or have to live in an island. We want to involve the UN in this case in a bid to erase their suspicion of us," he said. If the refugees want to return to their homeland, they will have to participate in a repatriation program. Those who want to remain in Indonesia must take part in a resettlement program. "The last alternative is to live on Wetar island in Southeast Maluku. We will build all kinds of the necessary infrastructure on the island," he said. (U. KPG03/KPG01/RSI-03/B/ING/00:15/NN01) 2509000032 NNNN ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 26 Sep 2000 jam 07:24:11 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
