Irian rebels receiving foreign aid<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An Irian Jaya separatist movement has been
\nreceiving foreign assistance from groups in the Netherlands and
\nSweden, a local military leader said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Maj. Gen. Ketut Wirdhana, chief of the Trikora Military
\nCommand, which is responsible for Irian Jaya, said he believed
\nthat the rebel group has \"special channels\" for receiving
\nfinancial assistance from foreign organizations, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
He was apparently referring to the Free Papua Movement (OPM)
\nwhich has been waging a guerrilla war from within Irian Jaya's
\njungles.<\/p>\n
Wirdhana said that the strength of the rebel group had
\ndeclined over the years, however, and that it no longer posed any
\nserious security threat.<\/p>\n
He said the authorities' offer of an amnesty for the rebels
\nstill stand. Those who surrender will be treated well, he added.<\/p>\n
Wirdhana also announced the return from the jungle of some 213
\npeople from Tsinga village in Fakfak regency. The villagers had
\nearlier fled their homes after their village was attacked by
\nmembers of the rebel group.<\/p>\n
The villagers will be resettled elsewhere because the rebels
\nburned down their homes, he said. (emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/irian-rebels-receiving-foreign-aid-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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