Close the camps

The visiting U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Richard Holbrooke, has spoken out, calling for rapid repatriation of all (East Timorese refugees) who wish to return to East Timor. This finally may prod the Indonesian authorities into controlling the militia mobs. Police in the camps do nothing to protect the people, and only in recent weeks have foreigners been able to get near them.

Deprived of adequate food or medical care, and without sanitation, the misery and fear of those inside increases by the day. Those bold enough to speak out put their lives in danger. So far, only about 30,000 of 260,000 known refugees have been able to return.

The new Indonesian Government is trying hard to restore the country's damaged reputation. But until it controls the militiamen and hastens repatriation the international community will continue to doubt its resolve. The camps are a reminder of a brutal history in East Timor. The sooner they are closed and the episode concluded, the quicker the recovery process will be.

If the camps were not gone by the year's end, Mr. Holbrooke warned, "you will know that the wrong people are still controlling events in the military in Indonesia".

Xanana Gusmao and other East Timorese leaders have shown great willingness to put the past behind them and establish friendly ties with Jakarta. But while leaders prolong this last blot on their East Timor record, they jeopardize the goodwill which has been extended.

-- The South China Morning Post, Hong Kong