Indonesia also says the militias have been disarmed and disbanded, and that it is safe for the U.N. to return. But U.N. refugee chief Ogata Sadako describes West Timor as a virtual no man's land and other officials say the disarmament program is merely cosmetic. The U.S.-based Human Rights Watch has pleaded with Indonesia to delay registrations until safeguards against intimidation can be established. On the East Timor side of the border, the Noronha family is searched for weapons by U.N. peacekeepers with metal detectors. Fernando Noronha, like all other men aged over 18, is screened and questioned to determine if he is a militia member.
Officials say some militias are now infiltrating more deeply into East Timor.
The Noronhas are given a modest rice supply, a blue plastic sheet, two jerry cans and one day's meal. Finally they board an aid agency truck to be taken 15 km to their village on the outskirts of Maliana, about 50 km southwest of the East Timorese capital, Dili. As the truck nears the village of about 150, a gaggle of screaming children runs to greet the family. The truck bumps to a stop in front of a makeshift cinderblock house, which until a few days ago had no roof. Neighbors gather to help unload possessions.