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.