Military forms force to track down abductors<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The military in Irian Jaya has formed a special
\nforce to track down separatist rebels who captured 24 people,
\nincluding seven Westerners, to prevent them from crossing the
\nborder to Papua New Guinea.<\/p>\n
Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Suwarno Adiwijoyo told
\nAntara that the special force is under orders to secure the
\nrelease of the 24 before they get to the Papuan border.<\/p>\n
Suwarno said the captives were members of an expedition team
\nworking in the Baliem Valley. They were attacked and captured by
\nabout 200 rebels on Monday, he added.<\/p>\n
There was not a word about the condition of the 24 abducted or
\ntheir whereabouts, and whether indeed they were being taken
\ntowards the Papuan border.<\/p>\n
But in the past, OPM rebels have often found sanctuary across
\nthe border as the Indonesian military would not chase them. Some
\nrebels are currently holding captive two Indonesian senior high
\nschool students and are demanding ransom for their release.<\/p>\n
The seven foreigners were four Britons, two Dutch citizens and
\none German while the Indonesians include many non-Irianese from
\nJakarta. Some were members of the Biological Science Club (BScC)
\nwhile several were members of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature
\nthat were on a three-month expedition to the Lorentz Nature
\nReserve in the area.<\/p>\n
The military did not say whether the rebels had made any
\nspecific demands or ransoms. But it identified the seven
\nforeigners and some of the Indonesians held captive.<\/p>\n
The four Britons, all graduates of Cambridge University, are
\nDaniel Start (21), Bill Oates (22), Anna McIvor (21), and Annette
\nvan der Kolk (21).<\/p>\n
The three World Wildlife Fund for Nature workers seized are
\nFrank Momberg of Germany and Mark van der Wal and Martha Klein of
\nthe Netherlands.<\/p>\n
Suwarno said the kidnapped Indonesians include Navy Panekenan,
\nYosias Lasemahu, Adinda Saraswati, and Jualita Tanasale. They are
\nall from the Jakarta-based Biological Science Club (BScC).<\/p>\n
Others include Markus Watipi of the Cendrawasih University in
\nJayapura, Abraham Wangai of the Irian Jaya Natural Resources
\nConsultation Center, Jacobus of the Indonesian Institute of
\nScience, and four local residents -- Alex Nuvigi, Philipus
\nWaseirak, Isaac Waseirak, Lewi N., Marthavina, Nafali Wanebo, and
\nMarthin Wiyangge -- and a local Christian priest Zakeus Elopere.<\/p>\n
The British, Dutch and German embassies in Jakarta have sent
\ndiplomats to Jayapura to find more about the case.<\/p>\n
The WWF office in Jakarta appealed to the military that their
\nchief concern should first and foremost the safety of the
\ncaptives.<\/p>\n
\"We appeal to every one to help with the release of our
\ncolleagues, giving priority to their safety,\" according to a WWF
\nstatement received by Antara.<\/p>\n
Relatives of two of those abducted in Jakarta made similar
\nappeals to the military, one even suggesting that the military go
\nsoft on the rebels to secure the release.<\/p>\n
\"My hope is that the government will move swiftly. My daughter
\nwent there with the approval of the government,\" Mrs. W.H.J.
\nTanasale, the mother of 29-year old Jualita, told Antara.<\/p>\n
\"We hope the government will be softer this time. We heard
\nthat the government refused to negotiate in the abduction of the
\ntwo senior high school students,\" Anne Menik Andayani, sister of
\nAdinda Saraswati, told the news agency. (imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/military-forms-force-to-track-down-abductors-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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