Associated Press July 4, 2000

UN Refugee Agency Restarts Work In West Timor Camps

GENEVA (AP)--The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said Tuesday it is resuming work in three of West Timor's troubled refugee camps after a two-week suspension prompted by renewed attacks on its staff and refugees.

The move came after the governor of Indonesian West Timor Monday agreed to a package of security measures the agency had demanded, UNHCR spokesman Kris Janowski said. Police are to take charge of security in the camps and maintain a round-the-clock presence.

Aid workers Tuesday went back into the Noelbaki and Tuapakan camps, near the provincial capital, Kupang, Janowski said.

But the road to the third camp, Naibonat, was blocked by local residents with machetes and spears who accused East Timorese refugees of provoking violence and demanded they be sent home.

UNHCR's continued presence will depend on the government showing firm commitment to implement security decisions, deal with troublemakers and separate former Indonesian army and militia members from the refugees, Janowski said.

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