13,000 border crossers resettled

13,000 border crossers resettled

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The local government has resettled about
13,000 natives who have returned from neighboring Papua New
Guinea over the past 12 years, Governor Jacob Pattipi said
Saturday.

Pattipi was quoted by Antara as saying that upon returning,
the border crossers were mentally and ideologically reoriented so
that they would not be fooled by Irian separatists' propaganda.

Indonesia has been facing low-level armed rebellion from the
independent Irian-seeking Free Papua Movement since 1963.

The governor added that returnees were also supplied with
basic food staples and medicine for two years.

Many border crossers have said they regretted having been
fooled by separatists' propaganda into going to Papua New Guinea.

"As long as they truly regret their mistakes, we welcome them
with open hands," Pattipi said. (14)