§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what support his Department is providing to long-term relief efforts aimed at solving the refugee crisis in West Timor; and what steps are being taken to ensure a secure environment for refugees and humanitarian agencies in West Timor; [159925]
(2) what discussions his Department has had with the office of UNHCR on their decision to cease operations in West Timor at the end of the year. [159926]
§ Mr. BattleWe remain deeply concerned about the situation in the refugee camps. We maintain regular contact with UNHCR and I discussed West Timor with Mr. Lubbers, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in Geneva on 22 March. Representatives from the British Embassy in Jakarta visited West Timor on 16–17 April to assess the situation there. Acquiring information in the field strengthens HMG's ability to influence the key players towards resolving the situation. We are also encouraging the UN to keep the situation in West Timor under review, so that UN agencies can resume operations in the camps as soon as possible.
The Indonesian Government have announced that from 21–24 May they will conduct a registration of the refugees remaining in West Timor with the aim of speeding up the 583W repatriation of those who wish to return. On 10 April, five international NGOs agreed to work in the camps in West Timor.