Timor refugees 'charged for return'

Thousands of refugees are stranded in the West

East Timorese trying to return home from refugee camps in Indonesian West Timor say the military has been demanding cash to escort them to safety.

Aid workers also say pro-Jakarta militias are continuing to intimidate refugees, threatening to hunt them down across the border and attack them if they leave.

Details of the problems faced by the thousands of people still stranded in the West Timor camps emerged as a United Nations Security Council delegation visited the East Timor border town of Suai.

The head of the UN refugee agency in East Timor, Joan Allison, told the delegates that Indonesian soldiers were levying fees from some refugees.

"One group returning on Saturday were approached by TNI [the military] and charged 25,000 rupiah ($2.70) per family," she said.

"In addition to cash, these soldiers took 10 chickens, three cows and a goat from the group numbering 85."

The militias continue to terrorise the border region

More than 100,000 refugees are still in the West Timor camps, where the pro-Jakarta gangs are based.

Many were herded over the border by the militiamen who went on the rampage after East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia.

Ms Allison said the gangs were continuing a campaign of disinformation, telling the refugees there was no food or shelter in East Timor, so they were better off staying in the Indonesian half of the island.

Assessment

The UN Security Council visit follows the slaughter of three foreign aid workers by militiamen in September in the West Timor town of Atambua.

The delegation will assess whether the Indonesian Government has implemented its resolution demanding the disarmament of the militias.

The UN delegation will go to West Timor

The delegates are due to fly to West Timor on Tuesday to see for themselves the situation in the refugee camps.

Their assessment of what progress the Indonesian authorities have made in dealing with the militias will be critical in determining the next step by the UN.

However, UN sources have indicated the Security Council is unlikely to take further overt action against Indonesia over the militias.

They say that pressure to ensure the remaining refugees can return home is more likely to be applied through diplomatic channels.