UN team to observe refugee camps<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A United Nations' Security Council team is
\nexpected to arrive in Indonesia on Nov. 14 to observe refugee
\ncamps for East Timorese in East Nusa Tenggara, an official said
\non Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Deputy director of international organization affairs at the
\nforeign ministry Marty Natalegawa said the team of observers, on
\nthe government's invitation, would inspect the refugee shelters
\nparticularly those located near the East Timor border.<\/p>\n
\"We invited them to take a close look at the refugee situation
\nout there so that they will understand that its not a simple
\nproblem but one that needs a comprehensive solution,\" Marty told
\nreporters after a discussion at Hotel Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"We also wish to show them the progress we have made with
\nregards to the refugees.\"<\/p>\n
Marty said the team was also expected to meet with several
\nCabinet ministers in Jakarta to discuss security matters that
\nwere hampering the repatriation of the East Timorese.<\/p>\n
The visit follows a UN Security Council resolution last month
\nafter three UN aid workers were killed in Atambua, East Nusa
\nTenggara.<\/p>\n
The resolution demanded that the Indonesian government
\nimmediately disarm and disband pro-Jakarta East Timorese militias
\nwho have been blamed for the deaths of the UN personnel. It also
\nurged Indonesia to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of
\nrefugees who want to return to East Timor and of those who have
\nresettled in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
There are around 130,000 refugees living in four regencies in
\nthe West Timor territory and in several islands in the East Nusa
\nTenggara province.<\/p>\n
Marty, who also heads the government task force handling the
\nEast Timorese refugees, admitted the government was shouldering a
\nheavy burden due to the absence of UN humanitarian missions at
\nthe refugee camps. (44)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/un-team-to-observe-refugee-camps-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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