Irian Jayans still living in PNG

MERAUKE, Irian Jaya: More than 140 Irian Jayans who had resided in Papua New Guinea (PNG) for years and who were scheduled to be repatriated in 1998 have still not arrived in Indonesian territory, an official said.

Leonardus Letsoin, a provincial official, was quoted by Antara as saying the 143 Irian Jayans were still at their camp in Kiungga in PNG territory.

No information on the delay was available, Letsoin said.

According to original plans, the PNG government was to repatriate the Irian Jayans in August 1998 using two Twin Otter airplanes. Ten of the Irian Jayans were to be sent home overland.

The plans had been worked out by representatives of the PNG government, the Catholic church in PNG and the Kiungga village administration.