Exiled militia leader visits East Timor

Tavares says he wants to help rebuild East Timor

The leader of a pro-Indonesian militia has visited East Timor to discuss how he and thousands of his followers can return from exile.

(Tavares) influences the decision of perhaps thousands of people - we must work with this man

UNHCR spokesman Jake Morland

Joao da Silva Tavares, whose umbrella group of militias waged violence in East Timor following the territory's 1999 vote for independence, met East Timorese officials in the border town of Batugade.

He told them he wanted a transit camp to ensure the safe return of himself and thousands of followers from West Timor - the Indonesian-held side of the island.

East Timor's President, Xanana Gusmao, has urged East Timorese refugees to return, regardless of their history.

Opposition

But a Foreign Ministry spokesman in Dili, Domingos Savio, told the BBC that the authorities oppose giving one particular group any special treatment.

And a spokesman for the United Nations refugee agency, Jake Morland, told reporters after the meeting that East Timorese officials opposed the formation of transit camps for Mr Tavares and his Integration Fighters' Force:

"The UNHCR and the East Timor government believe it would be less harmful and risky if they return to individual family homes and communities," said Mr Morland.

"This way the return would raise less suspicion and reintegration would be smoother."

Mr Tavares has previously denied that there is any ulterior motive behind his desire to return.

'Genuine' motivation

He told reporters on Tuesday that he wanted to come back "because I want to rebuild East Timor and because I am old and I want to die at home."

Mr Morland said he appeared genuine.

"We believe these are landmark meetings with Tavares," the UNHCR spokesman said.

"He influences the decision of perhaps thousands of people - we must work with this man."

Mr Tavares also pledged that he was prepared to give evidence on atrocities committed in 1999.

While President Gusmao has said that the worst offenders must be brought to justice, the East Timorese parliament is considering legislation that would grant amnesties for those who committed only minor crimes.

That subject is expected to dominate the next meeting with Mr Tavares, scheduled for two weeks' time.

Coming home

The UN says about 19,000 East Timorese refugees have returned home in the first five months of this year.

Gusmao has urged refugees to come home

But, of more than 250,000 people who fled or were forced by pro-Jakarta militias into West Timor, about 30,000 remain in camps near the border.

Any East Timorese who choose to remain in West Timor beyond the end of the year will still be allowed back, but will not be afforded refugee status.

Many of those still there are members of militia groups who opposed East Timor becoming independent, or are intimidated by those militias into staying put.