UNHCR wants TNI's help in West Timor

UNHCR wants TNI's help in West Timor

JAKARTA: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed hope that the Indonesian Military (TNI) will continue to help with the repatriation of East Timorese refugees currently sheltering in West Timor.

"The government has set the deadline for the program at the end of August, but the UNHCR hopes that officers of the military command can continue to help in the repatriation program until December 31 this year," Belu Military Commander Lt. Col. Tjuk Agus Minahasa said in Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara, which borders with East Timor, on Wednesday.

The commander added that even though he needed to discuss the matter with all the authorities involved, the military district command had no problems in helping the UNHCR till the end of the year.

"If the Indonesian Military chief approves the wishes of the UNHCR and other UN institutions in East Timor, we will have absolutely no problems," Agus Minahasa said. -- Antara