Papuan leaders to meet Megawati<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Non-governmental activists criticized the government for
\narranging a trip to Jakarta for a group of 200 Papuan tribal
\nleaders, who will pay a courtesy call on President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri during their visit.<\/p>\n
The meeting between the tribal leaders, grouped under the
\nLembah Baliem Foundation, and the President is scheduled to take
\nplace on Friday.<\/p>\n
Sabang Merauke Forum chairman Wolas Krenak and secretary-
\ngeneral Frans Maniagasi claimed the trip was politically
\nmotivated. They said it was taking place at a time when the
\ngovernment was seeking support from Papuans for the law on
\nspecial autonomy for the province, and investigating the murder
\nof proindependence leader Theys Hiyo Eluay.<\/p>\n
\"Security and social conditions in Papua have been improving,
\nbut a conflict could explode due to the political visit,\" Wolas
\nsaid as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Both Wolas and Frans said the government should halt its
\npractice of mobilizing people in order to win their support.<\/p>\n
They also said the tribal leaders had broken with etiquette by
\nfailing to inform the governor of Papua of the trip.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the military police team tasked to investigate the
\nmurder of Papuan leader Theys Hilo Eluay concluded their
\ninvestigation on Thursday, saying there was no further evidence
\nto probe.<\/p>\n
Col. Sutarna, commander of the Military Police Command XVIII
\nTrikora, confirmed the stagnation of the investigation, and the
\nteam returned to the capital.<\/p>\n
\"At the moment we're just waiting for new information. The
\ninvestigation could now be concluded as the excavation around the
\nKopassus headquarters did not bring any result,\" Sutarna said
\nreferring to the search for the Theys' missing driver, thought to
\nbe a key witness, and last seen at the Kopassus headquarters.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/papuan-leaders-to-meet-megawati-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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