Mediators delay preliminary talks with Irianese rebels<\/p>\n
JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Church officials named to mediate
\nin the abduction of two Belgian filmmakers have delayed their
\nplanned preliminary meeting with the Irianese rebel group who had
\nclaimed to take the foreigners hostage.<\/p>\n
Irian Jaya Police chief Brig. Gen. I Made Mangku Pastika said
\non Sunday the postponement followed a statement by the commander
\nof the National Liberation Army for Free Papua (TPNP) Kelly
\nKwalik who denied his group was responsible for the kidnapping.<\/p>\n
\"The mediators have talked to me about their decision to
\ncancel their trip but we still hope they can later play a role in
\naiding the release of the hostages,\" Made said, referring to
\npriest Theo van den Broek and Rev. Benny Giay, who had been
\nchosen to represent local church officials in the negotiation.<\/p>\n
The meeting with the abductors was planned immediately after a
\nletter carrying Kelly Kwalik's signature was sent to the church.
\nIn the letter, the rebels demanded President Abdurrahman Wahid
\nexpose TPNP issues in an international forum.<\/p>\n
Local daily Timika Pos quoted an unnamed spokesman for Kelly
\nas saying that he had sent his apology to the king of Belgium and
\nother parties in connection with a letter earlier sent by those
\nwho claimed to be abductors of the two filmmakers.<\/p>\n
Kelly, who earlier had been involved in the kidnapping of a
\ngroup of researchers in Mapenduma hinterland in 1996, admitted
\nthat he and his group did not know anything about the Belgians
\nwho have been abducted.<\/p>\n
The two Belgians, identified as Johan Elia Theo van Dem Eynde,
\n47, and Philippe R.D. Simon, 49, went missing almost a month ago
\nwhile conducting research in Illaga district, Puncak Jaya
\nregency.<\/p>\n
Initially a rebel group, led by Peni Murif, claimed to have
\nabducted them. Peni, admitting to be one of Kelly's men, sent a
\nmessage via radio asking the church officials to mediate for
\ntheir release. (35\/emf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mediators-delay-preliminary-talks-with-irianese-rebels-1447893297",
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