18 January 2001 -- The Christmas "come-and-see" visit for East Timorese refugees from West Timor has proven successful, with 80 refugees deciding to remain in their home communities and many others pledging to repatriate in the near future, according to the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), which organized the visit.

"Some of the returning refugees stated that they were impressed by the overall security situation in the country," UNTAET said in a statement issued today in Dili. "They also said they are planning to return to East Timor as soon as possible and pledged to encourage East Timorese to return to their homes."

Out of the 250 refugees who visited East Timor for a one-month visit over the end-of-year holidays, 170 returned to West Timor today by boat, accompanied by staff from UNTAET and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

All of the refugees were from camps in the vicinity of Kupang, and visited their homes in Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Dili, Lautern, Manufahi and Viqueque.

 

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Not an official document of the United Nations. Maintained by the Peace and Security Section of the Department of Public Information in cooperation with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. (c) United Nations 2001