Indonesian language Internet media sources have published comments by East Timorese refugee representatives and IX/Udayana Military Area Commander Maj- Gen Willem T da Costa on the post-registration future of the refugees.
Jakarta based Internet news portal Astaga.com (June 8) has confirmed that the majority of East Timorese refugees who registered in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on 6-7 June, wanted to remain in Indonesia as they felt their safety was not yet guaranteed in East Timor. According to Alfredo Pires Amaral, an East Timorese from Kovalima, in Atambua on Thursday [7 June], "A majority vote for remaining in Indonesia is an indication that we [East Timorese refugees] are afraid to return because it's not yet safe."
The regional head of the Kovalima UNTAS branch said this was based on a number of incidents which occurred once refugees returned to their villages. "My cousin Jose Hele was killed when he returned by a number of people, including Feliks Pires," said Amaral. He also relayed the story of a couple returning to Kovalima and members of National Council of the Timorese Resistance (CNRT) breaking their ribs. "Therefore, if East Timorese refugees opt to stay then that means they have more faith and feel more secure in Indonesia than living in fear in their own homeland," he added.
The refugee leader also called on the international community to respect the refugees' reasons for making the choices they did. Claims that the Indonesian government, East Timorese political elite or members of UNTAS were holding refugees in NTT against their will should be "withdrawn".
Three of his relatives Acasio Amaral, Filomeno Amaral and Deo Linda Amaral decided to return to their village a few days ago and none of them were prevented from doing so. "The refugee's choice of staying or returning is completely their own and is their right. If they are not authorized to return then it is a violation of human rights," he said.
Meanwhile, another East Timorese refugee Fransisco Soares from Bobonaro said, "What is the point of the international community getting involved in our country's affairs? The truth is that Indonesia would prefer it if we all returned to our homeland." He asked what would be the point of Indonesia insisting they stay.
Meanwhile, Jakarta based Internet news portal Koridor.com (8 June) reported comments from IX/Udayana Military Area Commander Maj-Gen Willem T da Costa who made the assertion that those East Timorese choosing to stay in Indonesia would no longer automatically have refugee status. "From now on there will no longer be any East Timorese refugees in NTT, only Indonesians," said the commander when answering reporters' questions at El Tari Kupang airport on Thursday [7 June]. He also said he was satisfied with the 6 June registration process which was extended to 7 June, as it was conducted in a free manner.
According to the head of the Refugee Registration Programme, Amien Riamon, those who chose to return to East Timor would be repatriated in around 10 days time. Those who chose to stay will need to join the re-settlement programme similar to the transmigration system. The Indonesian government has reportedly already arranged a number of re-settlement locations and if refugees refuse to move then TNI [Indonesian National Military Forces] will forcibly remove them from the camps. "There has been enough humanitarian assistance given to the East Timorese by our government. So don't keep complaining," said the Udayana Commander.