ABC (6/01/02 8:50:48)
Thousands of Indon refugees to be returned to troubled region
Indonesian authorities in the troubled province of Central Sulawesi will begin returning
almost 90,000 refugees to the strife-torn Poso area.
The refugee repatriation, expected to start on Monday, is part of the peace agreement
signed last month between Muslims and Christians.
The head of the provincial social welfare office, Andi Asikin said around 500 Christian
families taking refuge in neighbouring Tentena will return to their homes in Poso.
The governor of Central Sulawesi Aminuddin Ponulele said the local government is
also resettling the refugees in other areas within the province.
Local police says security in Poso has improved significantly since the December
peace agreement.
Fighting in Poso between Muslims and Christians killed over one-thousand people
over the past three years.
(6/01/02 8:50:48)
© 2001 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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