WEST TIMORESE REFUGEES ARRIVE FOR CHRISTMAS VISIT IN EAST TIMOR

A group of 244 refugees, from an anticipated 450, arrived by boat in East Timor this morning for a Christmas visit organized by UNTAET and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The refugees, from camps in the vicinity of Kupang, West Timor, were screened and registered at the Dili Transit Centre and transported to their home districts – Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Lautem, Manufahi and Viqueque – where they will meet their families. Field Officers from UNHCR met the visitors upon their arrival at the Dili Port and will be monitoring the well-being of the visitors during their stay. An additional 100 Christmas visitors arrived in the East Timor enclave of Oecussi today.

Eight refugee leaders from the camps in West Timor, who arrived in Baucau on 21 December for a one-day “come and see” visit, received a warm welcome in their communities, according to reports from UNHCR and UNTAET in the field. Large groups of people gathered to talk to the visitors and presented them with letters to bring back to relatives in West Timor. Speeches were given by the guests, as well as local representatives from Falintil and CNRT. The returnees, who also met with the Baucau District Administrator, said that they would pass on the message to refugees that East Timor is peaceful and safe. The group arrived by helicopter from the border with West Timor yesterday morning and was transported by bus to four sub-districts in the area. They returned to West Timor today.

SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello and representatives from UNHCR and IOM met a delegation from the Indonesia-based refugee organization, Task Force for the Settlement of the East Timorese Refugee Issue in East Nusa Tenggara, this morning, The parties discussed the overall conditions of the refugees in West Timor. The Indonesian delegation was led by Yusuf Basyiruddin. Mr. Basyiruddin promised to work very closely in the future with UNTAET, and asked for information material to be distributed amongst the refugees. A further meeting is set to take place within the next two weeks.

BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT EAST TIMOR

The President of Brazil, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, will visit East Timor on 22 January 2001. The President is expected to have private meetings with SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello, members of the East Timor Transitional Cabinet, CNRT President Xanana Gusmão and Bishop Belo. President Cardoso is also expected to attend a special session of the National Council, visit the Brazilian Contingent and officially inaugurate the Brazilian mission in East Timor.

PEACEKEEPER DIES OF HEART ATTACK

A Peacekeeper from the Philippines died early this morning of a suspected heart attack. The 32-year old Corporal, Edgar Gallego, was a radio operator stationed in Manatuto district. The body has been transported to the Dili morgue and an autopsy will be performed on 23 December. The body will be flown to the Philippines as soon as possible. To date, 13 Peacekeepers and one Military Observer have died since UNTAET’s mandate started.

RADIO UNTAET GOES ON THE AIR IN OECUSSI

Radio UNTAET is transmitting from Oecussi as of today, 22 December. Apart from the enclave, Radio UNTAET can now be heard directly in eight of East Timor’s 13 districts. In addition, much of Liquica, Manatuto, Ermera districts can hear Radio UNTAET from Dili’s broadcast on the AM band. The radio will be up and running in Los Palos district in 2001. Some 7,500 radio sets donated by the Japanese Government will be distributed by UNTAET to the population over the next few weeks.