Going Home for Good
Hundreds of Papuans who fled to Papua New Guinea for political and security reasons have returned voluntarily to Indonesia. Often leaving both friends and relatives behind, they are returning to build new villages in Indonesian Papua. Tempo journalist, Martha W. Silaban accompanied the refugees on their journey home which was organized by the Indonesian government last November. This is her report.
January 19, 2010
YOSEPHINE Solowop's wide smile and shining eyes provided a glimpse into her happy heart. The dark-skinned woman was leaping for joy for this was the day she tread once again the land of her birth after having lived dozens of years as a refugee in the Province of Manus in Papua New Guinea. "Come on," she shouted loudly waving for the people behind her to descend from the Hercules C-130 transport plane.
Landing at Sentai Airport in Jayapura on a Thursd
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