Red tape frustrates aid campaign

By Greg Ansley

DARWIN - The dead hand of Indonesian bureaucracy continues to frustrate efforts to send aid to the stricken population of East Timor, even as Indonesian troops prepare to pull out.

Under its agreement with the United Nations, Jakarta still insists that all aid workers and journalists obtain visas from its Darwin consulate at a cost that has gone from $A40 to $A100 since the crisis began.

Peacemaking troops must also have special identification.

Although Jakarta has effectively lost control of its former province since the August 30 vote for independence, immigration formalities remain in place.

The vote is yet to be ratified, but the Indonesian Parliament will begin sitting on Friday, October 1.

In the latest blow to aid efforts, a barge chartered by Timor Aid to ship food and medical supplies to Dili has been held in Darwin by Indonesia's insisting that its crew obtain visas.

According to Timor Aid organiser George Wells, the Indonesians at the weekend set a new limit of giving out only eight visas a day from the Darwin consulate.

The added delays are only compounding the urgency of the situation as news reaches those waiting about the extent of the devastation of Timor and the approaching wet season.

The first aid convoy of trucks to reach the eastern port of Bacau arrived at the weekend, soon after peacemakers occupied the key airport city.

Previously the city could be reached only by air.

Indonesian officials have insisted on inspecting all aircraft flying airdrops out of Dili airport, slowing the process considerably.

In the early stages of the peacemaking buildup the inspections meant that flights had to be suspended.

The need for humanitarian aid is more urgent than ever because of the:

* Threat of disease from the complete breakdown of sanitation and medical services.

* Lack of safe drinking water.

* Heightened health risks associated with the wet season.

* Threat of starvation.

Refugees in Darwin have been found to have tuberculosis, malaria and measles.

If medical supplies do not get to Timorese who have been forced from their homes, they also face an escalating risk from other diseases like dengue fever, diphtheria, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, meningitis, hepatitis, cholera and Japanese encephalitis.