Non-military action preferred on hostage case<\/p>\n
JAYAPURA (JP): Army deputy chief Lt. Gen. Kiki Syahnakri and
\nDeputy chief of Irian Jaya police Brig. Gen. Moersoedidarno
\nMoerhadi said in separate interviews on Monday that military
\naction would be the last resort to free the 16 people taken
\nhostage by a separatist group in Merauke, Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
Kiki told reporters after overseeing the ceremony of the
\ninstallment of Maj. Gen. Mahidin Simbolon as Irian Jaya's new
\nTrikora Military chief, replacing the late Maj. Gen. Tonny A.
\nRompis, that negotiation was still possible with the separatist
\nrebels, who abducted them. \"Therefore, non-military efforts were
\npreferable.\"<\/p>\n
He said that military action would become the last step to
\nfree the hostages. \"We have yet to receive the police's request
\nto help free the hostages.\"<\/p>\n
Deputy chief of Irian Jaya Police Brig. Gen. Moersoedidarno
\nMoerhadi shared his opinion, saying that negotiations continued
\nas police saw that 'talks' with the abductors were likely to
\nwork.<\/p>\n
\"The hostages are still in Irian Jaya and in good condition.
\nWe have just sent them rice (given by PT Korindo),\" he said,
\nhinting that the police had a special contact person in the group
\n(abductors).<\/p>\n
The abduction of 16 officials and employees of a South Korean
\njoint company PT Korindo were kidnapped in the district of Asiki,
\nMerauke, last Tuesday by members of the Papua Liberation National
\nArmy (TPN) led by Willem Onde. The abductors have demanded US$1
\nmillion in compensation for environmental damage, the withdrawal
\nof the police's mobile brigade troops from the district of Asiki,
\nand a total halt to logging.<\/p>\n
Asiki district is about 12 hours drive from Merauke town,
\nwhich is located about 900 kilometers south of the capital,
\nJayapura.<\/p>\n
Two days later five more people, including two more Korean
\nnationals Lee Hoon, an executive director of PT Korindo, and Lee
\nJongmy, a manager of the firm's palm oil plantation in the
\nregion, were taken hostage by the same group when they were
\ntrying to negotiate the release of the eleven.<\/p>\n
In another interview, Irian Jaya Police chief of Operation and
\nControl Sr. Comr. Kusnadi revealed that Willem Onde sent a letter
\nto local authorities in Merauke, saying that the hostages would
\nbe freed as long as the military\/police did not undertake any
\narmed operation to release them.<\/p>\n
\"All officials will meet tomorrow (Tuesday) to decide further
\nsteps over this abduction case. The note shows that he (Willem)
\nis willing to negotiate and therefore I think it's better to be
\npatient and avoid casualties. Rescue (military) operations are
\nusually fast but it is also a risky option for the hostages,\"
\nKusnadi told The Jakarta Post by phone.<\/p>\n
The officer further said that the abductor's action was rather
\nmore economically motivated than political.<\/p>\n
\"Personally, I think Willem Onde is not a terrorist. He is
\nasking only for simple things such as money, not the release of
\n(proindependence leader) Theys Hiyo Eluay,\" he said. (35\/edt\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/non-military-action-preferred-on-hostage-case-1447893297",
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