Solution to refugees sought

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Maj. Gen. William da Costa, chief of the Udayana Military Command overseeing Bali, West and East Nusa Tenggara, asked the Military District in East Nusa Tenggara to prioritize the seeking of an immediate solution to the problem of East Timorese refugees in the province.

"The presence of East Timorese refugees in the province has been a serious problem the local military authorities must accord priority to solve because they have economically affected local people, mostly still living under impoverished circumstances," he said when swearing in Col. M. Moesanip as new chief of the Military District to replace Col. Budi Heriyanto here on Tuesday.

He added the remaining refugees had to decide whether they wanted to go back to their home country or to remain in Indonesia because the government could no longer support them.

"Those that have chosen to remain in Indonesia can join the resettlement program that has been available since last July," he said. -- Antara