Ex-militia leader and nearly 400 refugees return to East Timor: UN Mission

A key ex-militia figure and more than 370 refugees returned to East Timor from camps in Indonesian West Timor today in a process facilitated by independence leader Xanana Gusmão, former pro-autonomy leaders and the United Nations Transitional Administration in the territory (UNTAET).

According to UNTAET, Nemésio Lopes de Carvalho, the Deputy Commander of the militia group known as "Mahidi," crossed the border at Salele, and said, "I am happy to return to my home country and I am willing to face justice."

The Mahidi leader was brought by staff from UNTAET's Serious Crimes Unit to Dili, where he appeared before a judge working to ascertain the degree of his involvement in the violence surrounding the 1999 popular consultation. He was later conditionally released and is expected to travel back to the border for tomorrow's refugee crossings.

The returns - in which UNTAET, the International Organization for Migration and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) played crucial roles - follow a series of recent border meetings held in Salele between Mr. Gusmão, Ainaro elders and leaders of the Ainaro refugees, including Mr. Lopes de Carvalho's brothers Câncio and Fransisco.

Speaking to the media at the border, Câncio Lopes de Carvalho said that every East Timorese must "forget the past" but that he, as a commander, would take responsibility for any violent acts committed by the Mahidi after the 1999 popular consultation. He presented Mr. Gusmão with a Mahidi T-shirt, a token of his ultimate surrender. "My struggle is over," he said.

UNTAET chief Sergio Vieira de Mello has several times stated the UN mission's position that all refugees are welcome to return, but that there will be no amnesty for crimes committed in 1999 and that suspects will face the East Timorese justice system.