Galang Island loses refugees

PADANG, West Sumatra: The local police command will dispatch 129 members of the mobile brigade under Maj. Syari Gunawan to Galang Island to secure the repatriation of Vietnamese refugees.

Local deputy police chief Col. Junus Simanjuntak said Wednesday the sending of the elite police force was meant to show the world Indonesia's commitment to promoting peace, Antara reported.

Under the United Nations auspices, Indonesia will repatriate about 4,000 of Galang Island's Vietnamese refugees between June and August. (pan)