UN team to observe refugee camps

UN team to observe refugee camps

JAKARTA (JP): A United Nations' Security Council team is
expected to arrive in Indonesia on Nov. 14 to observe refugee
camps for East Timorese in East Nusa Tenggara, an official said
on Tuesday.

Deputy director of international organization affairs at the
foreign ministry Marty Natalegawa said the team of observers, on
the government's invitation, would inspect the refugee shelters
particularly those located near the East Timor border.

"We invited them to take a close look at the refugee situation
out there so that they will understand that its not a simple
problem but one that needs a comprehensive solution," Marty told
reporters after a discussion at Hotel Indonesia.

"We also wish to show them the progress we have made with
regards to the refugees."

Marty said the team was also expected to meet with several
Cabinet ministers in Jakarta to discuss security matters that
were hampering the repatriation of the East Timorese.

The visit follows a UN Security Council resolution last month
after three UN aid workers were killed in Atambua, East Nusa
Tenggara.

The resolution demanded that the Indonesian government
immediately disarm and disband pro-Jakarta East Timorese militias
who have been blamed for the deaths of the UN personnel. It also
urged Indonesia to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of
refugees who want to return to East Timor and of those who have
resettled in Indonesia.

There are around 130,000 refugees living in four regencies in
the West Timor territory and in several islands in the East Nusa
Tenggara province.

Marty, who also heads the government task force handling the
East Timorese refugees, admitted the government was shouldering a
heavy burden due to the absence of UN humanitarian missions at
the refugee camps. (44)