Camp doctors say malaria and respiratory illnesses are rife. Gelbard said up to 900 camp inmates have died from disease. Last week, Indonesia's reformist president, Abdurrahman Wahid, went to West Timor after a historic first visit to East Timor. But his words have had little impact. A day later, suspected militia members opened fire at U.N. troops on the border between West and East Timor.
Security is also a continuous threat in some of the camps.
An East Timorese anti-independence leader told The Associated Press the militias won't give up their struggle until the United Nations investigates claims that last year's independence vote was rigged. But the U.N. has made clear that it has no intention of doing this, having already rejected all claims of bias and irregularities. Indonesia's government has accepted the results of the vote. Despite the continuing troubles, some of the demoralized militia members now want to go home, said Red Cross officer Yayoi Hayashi, who coordinates a message service between the camps and family and friends in East Timor. Everyone knows I'm a militia, my hands are dirty.'' Before his family's name was called to board the ship home, Da Silva said he would do anything not to have to go back to the camps.