REFUGEES RETURN TO WEST TIMOR

A group of 170 refugees, out of some 250 who visited East Timor for a one-month “come and see” visit during the Christmas holidays, returned back by boat to West Timor today. About 80 of the remaining returnees have chosen to stay in East Timor. Some of the returning refugees stated that they were impressed by the overall security condition in the country. They also said that they are planning to return to East Timor as soon as possible and pledged to encourage East Timorese to return their homes. Staff from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR were also on board, accompanying the refugees. The ship will arrive in Kupang, West Timor, tomorrow morning, 19 January. The Christmas visits were organized by UNTAET and IOM. The refugees come from camps in the vicinity of Kupang and have visited their homes in Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Dili, Lautem, Manufahi and Viqueque.