Border crossers fate unknown

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The Irian Jaya provincial administration is concerned about the hundreds of people who crossed the border and are being held in East Awin camp, Kuinga, Papua New Guinea.

The concern arises from the fact that the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees stopped funding for such camps in June.

The secretary for Irian Jaya border relations, FX Suryanto, was quoted by Antara as saying here yesterday that it is not known whether the camp would be closed down or what would happen to the people detained there.

The Indonesian government is expected to raise the issue in the border liaison meeting which began on Monday and lasts through Saturday. So far the Papuan delegates have not given a satisfactory reply to questions broached. (mds)