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)