INDONESIAN VOLUNTEERS UNABLE TO CARRY OUT MISSION IN HAITI

JAKARTA, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- Indonesian volunteers who were deployed to
earthquake-hit Haiti has decided to return home, citing difficulties in getting
clearance to enter the country, an official said.

Foreign Ministry's spokesman Teuku Faizasyah told a news conference that the
team, comprising 75 volunteers, would arrive here Saturday as the aircraft,
carrying medicine, food and emergency equipment, was stranded in Honolulu since
Jan 15 waiting for clearance to enter Haiti.

Despite the setback, Indonesia would not blame anyone, including the United
States military who were said to be dominating Haiti's main airports, he said.

"Although we did not manage to enter the disaster area, the Haitian
government appreciated our efforts," he said.

He added that the relief supply would be brought to Haiti via the Dominican
Republic and handed over to the World Food Programme.

The Indonesian volunteers comprise 30 medical officers, four surgeons, 10
search and rescue personnel, 10 electricians and 25 construction experts.

Five Indonesian nationals were in the Haiti when the earthquake struck on
Jan 12.

Three of them are hotel workers who will return home as soon as commercial
flights resume while two are with the United Nations who decided to stay put and
assist in the humanitarian efforts.
-- BERNAMA