PM protested at 'escape' of soldier's killer

By JOHN ARMSTRONG

BRUNEI - New Zealand protested to Jakarta when the killer of Private Leonard Manning was captured recently by Indonesian forces, but was able to "escape," Prime Minister Helen Clark revealed yesterday.

She issued another stern plea for Indonesia to close refugee camps in West Timor and start disarming the rebel militia.

Helen Clark was scheduled to meet Indonesia's President Abdurrahman Wahid for talks late last night (NZ time).

New Zealand wanted refugee camps closed to remove a militia-training ground and to allow innocent East Timorese to return home, she said.

It was a pity that Indonesia had not taken advantage of the recent dry season to repatriate refugees.

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UN Transitional Administration in E Timor