Another group of refugees returns to East Timor, UN mission says

More than 500 refugees crossed into East Timor this morning on the second day of mass returns from camps located in the Indonesian part of the island, the United Nations Transitional Administration (UNTAET) in the territory said today.

On Thursday, more than 370 refugees had crossed from West Timor into East Timor.

The refugees, who come from Covalima District in the southeast part of East Timor, had been living since 1999 in the Betun refugee camps. Today's return was arranged by UNTAET, working with independence leader Xanana Gusmão and pro-autonomy leader Hélio Moniz Caetano, who also returned today from West Timor.

Some 140 East Timorese who currently serve in the Indonesian Police Force also crossed the border today into East Timor to meet with Mr. Gusmão. Those officers have expressed their desire to return to East Timor, UNTAET said, and Mr. Gusmão told them, "The door is always open to all of those wanting to return."