Horta demands return of West Timor refugees

Australian ABC news report, 22 Mar 00

East Timorese leader Jose Ramos Horta is demanding the urgent return of refugees from West Timor.

Mr Ramos Horta says the intimidation of the refugees by the militia and the military is criminal.

He says the international community must take strong measures to put the Indonesian military in check.

He is also demanding improved sanitation standards in the refugee camps, which he claims do not have adequate medical sources.

The Indonesian Government had planned to cut off aid to the camps on March 31.

But the United Nations has received assurances of some flexibility.

It is estimated that more than 150,000 people have already returned across the border from West to East Timor, but some 100,000 remain.

Mr Ramos Horta says due to the large numbers more aid workers are needed to shine the light of international attention on the problem.

Link to main page on East Timor.

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