UNHCR to help border crossers

UNHCR to help border crossers

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) has offered to help Irian Jaya repatriate 143
Irianese border crossers now living in Papua New Guinea (PNG), an
official said Wednesday.

The offer was conveyed when UNHCR representatives, led by
Stavan Boemar, met with Deputy Governor of People's Welfare
Basyir Bachtiar, the provincial government's head for public
relations, F.X. Suryanto, was quoted by Antara as saying.

The assistance will come in the form of equipment to build
resettlement sites as well as food assistance for returning
border crossers.

Suryanto said the local administration needed to consult the
central government.

Data show that some 3,600 Irianese have settled in neighboring
Papua New Guinea.