Refugees protest arms sweep

Refugees protest arms sweep

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Some 200 East Timorese refugees
abandoned their shelters at a housing complex on the campus of
the Indonesian Muslim University here on Saturday to protest a
police sweep for firearms.

The refugees went to the city's police headquarters, where
they set up a new camp.

"We left our camp for safety and to allow the police to check
for themselves allegations that we were keeping automatic rifles
there," said the refugees' leader, Alfredo dos Santos.

Police conducted the operation in response to a United Nations
resolution urging Indonesia to disarm all East Timorese militias
and civilians living in refugee camps.

One refugee was arrested during the operation.

In response to the protest, Makassar Police deputy chief Supt.
Adrizal Adnan apologized to the refugees for the police's actions
during the operation. He also said the East Timorese would be
temporarily allowed to stay in the police compound. (27/lup)